Tenants wants to deduct rent in California

[Jacky Johnson]

Today my tenant sent me a notice via text that my rental property has a sewage leak under the bedrooms and asked me to check it out. He also mentioned rats are living under the house biting away wood and pipes and he called a pest control company to trap, poison, and got rid of the rats and cost him $465 and he paid. He wants to deduct this amount from next month's rent and asked me to send him my email for the invoice. How should I handle this? Thanks!

[Account Closed]

Originally posted by @Jacky Johnson:

Today my tenant sent me a notice via text that my rental property has a sewage leak under the bedrooms and asked me to check it out. He also mentioned rats are living under the house biting away wood and pipes and he called a pest control company to trap, poison, and got rid of the rats and cost him $465 and he paid. He wants to deduct this amount from next month's rent and asked me to send him my email for the invoice. How should I handle this? Thanks!

Was it pre approved based on the rental agreement or did you give him written permission? His responsibility is to let you know there is a problem so you can resolve it based on your best interests.

I would definitely have the sewage leak inspected but since he took the rats on himself, that's on him.