Water heater not large enough for soaking tub

[Troy P.]

I lived in this home for 6 years and lived with the fact that the 50 gallon water heater does not fill the tub enough to take a luxurious soaking bath.  Now, the tenant is complaining that the hot water output is not sufficient for baths.  The heater is nearing the end of it's life at 15 years old, so do you replace it with a larger size and it's a win-win?  Are you obligated to provide a certain amount of hot water?  Do you tell them to suck it up and potentially have a disgruntled tenant?  Trying to weigh the options here...

[Bruce Woodruff]

IMO, if you're going to offer an amenity such as a 'soaking tub' (that implies HOT water by the way), you should absolutely have the ability to fill it with HOT water and top it off a few times to boot.....maybe an 80 gallon.