All Forum Posts by: Sandy Gabin

@Sandy Gabin no, stick to the lease. Blame the lease, blame your lawyer, blame the city permitting.

If I did do something like that, I would have my contractor do it, and then build it into her rent. So I can ensure it was done correctly

I would say no for 2 reasons:

1) she might want to make it into a grow room, which will wreck your unit - the humidity and potential water on the floor, plus the smell, etc., will possibly do major damage; and

2) tenants who start wanting to change things are never-ending high maintenance tenants and you're better if they leave.  Been there many times.  Learned the hard way to say no and to see red flags during the initial walk-through.  Odds are that this is not the first time this tenant has asked for some kind of change or favor, right?

The one I had like that started at the walk-through asking if we'd change up the walk-in closet that the unit already had that was enormous - can we extend one of the rods and take out the shelves on that end so the rod is longer?  It never ended after the owner agreed to this request.  In the future I learned to just say no right then and there.

She later wanted room darkening curtains which the owner said yes to - I told him not to (he would come on Saturdays to do maintenance and the tenants learned to go around me and just ask him for stuff.  I told him to send them to me, but he was too nice - but it just gave us both more work).

Then, she said she could smell smoke and wanted me to go figure out who it was.  I said no, I wasn't going to go invading tenants' apartments, but if she ever actually saw someone smoking to let me know.  She actually complained to the owner.  He confronted me with her standing right there smirking.  I said no, it would be an invasion of privacy and I wasn't going to do it.  I basically had to dare my boss to fire me over it.  He chose to keep me.

She was still there when I left with her never-ending drama and demands.

You just have to make a rule.  It's easier to say no to people if you know what your rules are.  So, this was the rule I learned to have and I suggest you have, too.

"I don't change any units I have.  Sorry if you don't like it the way it is, and I totally understand if you want to move.  If you want to give me 30 days notice, let me know and I will work with you on your move-out date.  But, I don't make changes to my units."  And when they start arguing and giving you their story or sales-pitch, just rinse, repeat.

@Sandy Gabin

I would never let someone A) do the work themselves or B) hire it out to someone I didn't know where I wasn't involved in the process. A lot of people seem to think a bedroom requires a closet of some kind. If you really feel obliged to provide one, Amazon has a lot of affordable RTA/knock-down models in the under $50 range.

Personally I would decline this... Even if completely control process including arranging and vetting labor, review plans and cost with tenant, get in writing that tenant is willing to pay that cost for the improvement and upon moving out/end of lease that they make no attempt to dismantle or remove the built-in closet, it can still lead to a sticky situation. That last part is important since a walk-in is much more involved process, with framing, drywall, electrical and trim etc and if they tried to remove it or damage it when they left it could be a headache. But if it all went to plan it could also be a great benefit to you. As with all things in the real estate world, there is risk and reward. 

I would say no for 2 reasons:

1) she might want to make it into a grow room, which will wreck your unit - the humidity and potential water on the floor, plus the smell, etc., will possibly do major damage; and

2) tenants who start wanting to change things are never-ending high maintenance tenants and you're better if they leave.  Been there many times.  Learned the hard way to say no and to see red flags during the initial walk-through.  Odds are that this is not the first time this tenant has asked for some kind of change or favor, right?

The one I had like that started at the walk-through asking if we'd change up the walk-in closet that the unit already had that was enormous - can we extend one of the rods and take out the shelves on that end so the rod is longer?  It never ended after the owner agreed to this request.  In the future I learned to just say no right then and there.

She later wanted room darkening curtains which the owner said yes to - I told him not to (he would come on Saturdays to do maintenance and the tenants learned to go around me and just ask him for stuff.  I told him to send them to me, but he was too nice - but it just gave us both more work).

Then, she said she could smell smoke and wanted me to go figure out who it was.  I said no, I wasn't going to go invading tenants' apartments, but if she ever actually saw someone smoking to let me know.  She actually complained to the owner.  He confronted me with her standing right there smirking.  I said no, it would be an invasion of privacy and I wasn't going to do it.  I basically had to dare my boss to fire me over it.  He chose to keep me.

She was still there when I left with her never-ending drama and demands.

You just have to make a rule.  It's easier to say no to people if you know what your rules are.  So, this was the rule I learned to have and I suggest you have, too.

"I don't change any units I have.  Sorry if you don't like it the way it is, and I totally understand if you want to move.  If you want to give me 30 days notice, let me know and I will work with you on your move-out date.  But, I don't make changes to my units."  And when they start arguing and giving you their story or sales-pitch, just rinse, repeat.

She can also get some room dividers which are completely portable and stand alone to block off a section of the room.

Thank  you for your advice. I will tell her to add shelves and other compartments !

 Exactly.  But, you just never want to get into the habit of being the Answer Lady (or Man).  I learned the hard way to perfect the friendly but non-committal, "Huh, I don't know.  Gotta go."

You just really want to minimize spending your time dealing with tenant issues that aren't your problem.  Don't let them think of you as the problem solver for everything.

Does she have a spare bedroom she could turn into a walk in closet or does she literally want to frame one in the master bedroom?  If it is the former, then it is easy enough for her to get garment racks on wheels and some free standing shelving.