All Forum Posts by: Nerissa Marbury

Thank you everyone! I'm seeking legal advice for my state so I can better understand what is or is not allowed for future reference.

If the stove broke from normal wear and tear, then it'll be a no-brainer for me. However since the stove was working just fine when the tenant admitted to cracking the cooktop, I'm struggling with the idea of purchasing a replacement stove and letting the tenant not be financially responsible. 

If the part for the cooktop was readily available, it'll also be a no-brainer. I'd get the stove replaced and the tenant would pay the roughly $500 fee for the repair. However as a caring human, I don't want the tenant to have to wait a month (or longer) waiting for a part to come in.....especially when there are sales going on and a replacement could be in the house in a matter of days.


But like I said, thank you for all the wonderful comments and opinions. I appreciate this community for its willingness to be my sounding board.

If the legal advice I receive is anything profound or different from the comments above, I'll be sure to update the thread.

@Jim K. I don't understand why you recommend this = "It would be wisest with an older stove like this to replace the power cord when you connect your new stove. Buy a new cord with your replacement range."

Why wouldn't the replacement stove have its own cord?

"charge her 4/15ths of the cost of a similar replacement or repair cost
 

@Mary M. Are you saying to charge her 4/15ths of the repair cost? Why would I do that? She would be 100% responsible for the repair (per my lease agreement since she was negligent and admit to causing the damage) if the part was readily available.

I'll also send a quick email to the attorney and see what he says. Thanks!

@Thomas S.

"if you want to charge her for a replacement top then replace the top" 

This was my original desire, but I have yet to be able to find the part available for immediate purchase. I found one vendor that says the part is out of stock, but expects to have it in-stock around mid-December.

Are you proposing I have the tenant wait a month for a part to come in? I thought offering the tenant the option to pay what the repair would have cost them if the part was immediately available and receive a new stove in return was a fair and appealing option compared to having the tenant wait a month to repair the broken range.

"If you are buying a used stove that would cost less that the replacement top then you can charge her for the replacement stove."

Yes, this is an option as well but I have to find a comparable used stove first. If she's willing to wait (or preferably help me with the search) as I search for options, then this is an option as well. However once again, if she knows she will not pay any more than what the repair would have cost her and she could get a new stove.....why not take the new stove?

I hear what you and others are saying about the used stove. When I wrote the post seeking help I didn't know where I could find quality used ranges. I definitely don't want to use Craigslist or the classifieds. If there is an issue with the range shortly after the purchase, I would like to be able to  be able to get help from a reputable company to get the issue resolved. I'm going to check out the 5mile.com site Maurice recommended and HfH Restore recommended by Leanne as well as see if anyone else offers places to find used quality ranges. 

Thank you @Maurice D. and @Tchaka Owen for your suggestions. 

Maurice - I'll check out the website you recommended as I am unfamiliar with it. Hopefully I can find a reputably seller with a quality stove at a reasonable price.

Tchaka - I hadn't thought about 1/2 and 1/2, but that is good option as well.

 The issue isn't getting the item fixed , it's finding the part so it can be fixed.

Thanks for the HfH Restore idea. There is one not too far from the property. I'll give them a call in the AM and see what they have in-stock.

I plan to charge them the cost of the repair if the part was available. 

If I did want to inquire about used but still new stoves, where would one go? I would like to price compare to the new stoves that are currently on sale.

If I did want to inquire about used but still new stoves, where would one go? I would like to price compare to the new stoves that are currently on sale.

 Yes, that is one of the reasons why the cost for a new stove is much closer to the cost of the parts and labor. It didn't even cross my mind that I'd be this lucky until I looked to see what a stove with similar features to my existing stove would cost. Since I wasn't looking for newer or fancier features, that keeps costs down too.

I plan to charge them the cost of the repair same as if the part was readily available. 

If I did want to inquire about used but still new stoves, where would one go? I would like to price compare to the new stoves that are currently on sale.