All Forum Posts by: Lisa D.

Kyle J,

I put photos in the lease document, and then I added pictures of the damages that were made by the tenant who moved out.  It’s entirely cosmetic.  Nail holes and shelving paper.  They want to install a hanging closet rod, and a shelf in the master closet is bowed but functional.  

Okay, I’ll do that.  They moved in and immediately notified me that they had a “list of repairs” for me.  New paint is one of the items on the list.  The home had a 100% remodel in 2017 with new cabinets, fixtures, heating, toilets, sinks, moldings, flooring, and has stainless kitchen aid appliances and a washer/dryer set.  Apparently it’s still not good enough.  

My new tenant just emailed me a DocuSign document with pictures of the home and it’s condition as of the beginning of their tenancy.  

This is the language on the introduction:

This report is to serve as a reference for the current condition of the property indicating; all current needs for update or repair, improvements that may be made by the landlord during the current tenants' occupancy.

I feel hesitant to sign this.  I feel it implies that I’m going to make repairs that are entirely cosmetic.  Has anyone else signed something like this? 

Guifre is right that I should treat it like a business, but it's really not a business for me.  It's a personal home (secondary home near the coast) that I have temporarily rented out until I can take possession of it for personal use again.  Hopefully soon.  It had a total rehab in 2017.  It's hard to have other people living in it, but I can't afford to carry it while we are living in another city.  It's just a losing situation for me I guess.  

I wish I could see the repair you are speaking of.  I have considered that the handyman who quoted for the repairs is also interested in making money on the job, and perhaps there is an easier/cheaper way to restore them.  The tenant asked if she can go over and look at them.  She is certain she can get all of the glue off with goo gone.  I told her to please go ahead and give it a try.  Would love for her to be right.  But the pieces that have been lifted already have removed the surface and would need a more robust repair.  

No, it can't be wiped off.  The adhesive has dissolved and eaten the veneer finish.  Wipe off the adhesive=wipe off the veneer everywhere adhesive made contact.  

I wrote into the lease contract and included pictures of the brand new pristine kitchen cabinets. Tenant moved in and immediately applied shelf paper with double sided tape, destroying the surfaces of 13 separate drawer bottom/cupboard bottom/shelves inside of the lower cabinets, as well as all shelves in the pantry from floor to ceiling. The glue will not come off without removing the veneer. Cabinets destroyed! She demanded that I return her full deposit as there is only typical wear and tear. I'm pretty sure this type of damage does not fall under wear and tear. To me, it seems like outright negligent damage. Am I wrong?

I have an estimate from a private contractor to refinish the pieces for $60 each, but he cannot do it while there are new tenants in the home. So, am I out of luck in terms of using the security deposit to pay for the damage?

He's baaaaack.  He wants to add a co-applicant who is not going to be an occupant.  I don't see how that is better.

I agree with all of you.  I know that if I wanted to rent a home, it would take me five minutes to get my W2s and bank statements prepared for submission.  Super easy to do.