Rental Oven Damaged-On us???

[Shannon Shaddow]

Hi BP!

I have a single family home that we rehabbed and rented out in 2023. A brand new oven and as purchased and installed in March 2023. Tenants moved in in April 2023 and renewed their lease again this spring. I got a picture from my tenant saying that I need to give them a new oven. Looking at the picture, the exterior glass is smashed and they told me they don’t know how it happened and the oven was not on. It looks like damage to me versus a faulty stove (no damage beyond the glass) and we would not be liable. Thoughts? Tenants do have renters insurance but are not going to be pleasant to work with on this likely…

[JD Martin]

That doesn't need a new oven, just the front glass. It literally takes 5 minutes to put that on. Two screws hold the handle on, which holds the glass at the top and the bottom slides into a metal groove. Depending on the brand about $100. 

For something that cheap I'd replace it and forget it. Possibly they broke it, or there was a fault in the glass and the heat/cool cycle shattered it. 

If your PM can't do it for a cheap service visit then find a new PM. If you don't have a PM then any handyman can put that on.