Tenant complaining during project

[Rahel Ketema]

I am doing remodeling on my garden unit on my 3 flat. My tenant complain about every little things from noise I have given notice in advance

1, How do I approach to their complains

2, What is the appropriate time to start the builder to start working in morning

3, I put HVAC on garden unit and 1st unit so radiators were removed. 1st unit tenant wants their floor fix on radiator site ASAP. (FYI they pay their rent $500 under market value. I did not increase the rent since I purchase the property, they don't pay utilities, and also they have free one parking garage) Should i just kick them out. They have been very bothersome in so many ways. Please help.

[Caroline Gerardo]

Give them a time frame. Double the days time you expect to fix the floor. Say you have matching linoleum and you can patch it on November 28, tell them you will be scheduling someone on or about December 27th after Christmas as to not interrupt their plans.  

Are they working from home? Work at night and sleep in the day? Have a baby who sleeps? I can't guess what their scheduling problem is BUT contractors are noisy, messy, and often not respectful. I love my contractors but I have to pick them up with breakfast burritos to show up and no matter if I beg them not to smoke indoors, they do. I can cajole contractors to work every day but I give in on some things that yes I would never want in my house, such as loud polka music. Think from the other side, this is your tenant's home. 

If they have children you sent them candy or books? No? You still have Christmas. If they are elderly bake them banana bread or send them fruit. Don't make that frowny face at me... I know you are ;(.

What would it take to make them into shiny loving happy tenants? Do they want more exterior lighting for safety? What are you willing to "give" that improves the property that may make them happy? Don't ask in writing, have it be a chat. What they ask for you maybe would NEVER do so not in writing.

The cost to evict might be $25000 or more. For now they aren't that bad, start sweeten 'em up. 

FYI next deal NEVER inherit tenants require the subject to be vacant, you are lucky they pay.