Question about Ceiling Tiles

[Alecia Loveless]

I have a unit that has a small leak in the flashing outside the ceiling. Recently with the heavy rain we have been getting a small stain appears on two of the ceiling tiles during the rain storms. We are working on finding the leak but in the meantime this tenant (who is needy and has been otherwise annoying) is making a big deal about these small stains that are about 4” inches diameter.

No water is leaking into the unit, the ceiling tiles just get a slight discoloration.

For those who have been doing this longer than me how quickly should I be getting these tiles replaced?

It’s not a matter of there being actual damage to the unit but the tenant thinks we should drop everything and replace these within 24 hours of the occurrence.

I’m of the opinion that when my contractor gets there biweekly to mow the lawn is fast enough to change them but we do pride ourselves on good customer relations.

Thanks!

[Kevin Sobilo]

@Alecia Loveless, I agree for a cosmetic issue not affecting habitability isn't anything that needs to be addressed immediately. Plus, if you fix it today and it rains tomorrow the stain will reappear if the underlying issue has not yet been corrected.

I wouldn't address the stain until the leak has been rectified.

If you jump to service minor issues for a tenant like this it often just leads to them doing it more and more. I would take this as an opportunity to set the expectation and to "train" the tenant a little here. I would probably set the expectation by saying something like "We are addressing the underlying roof issue first. I expect my roofer to work on it this weekend. If the issue is corrected at that time, then next time the handyman mows the lawn they will address the ceiling tile stains." So, then they know what to expect and until those things you stated do or don't happen there is nothing to discuss.