Question from tenant...
"Hi, Ben - I hope you both are well, t’is the season. 🎁🔔Been meaning to follow up with you, could you ask Tammy if she would be willing to renovate the upstairs bathroom in April/early spring? The floor tiles are increasingly coming loose, the tub has a lot of cracks in it, the camode has unsightly screw holes in it, etc., etc. And I would love a little bit larger cabinets, if possible. If you are already booked up, I know if someone very reputable who could do it in that timeframe. I understand some folks are already booked out that far. Thank you.”
Answer from owner...
"Hi Ben,
Okay, I've pondered this since last week - which gave me some time to do about 500 eye rolls, and scream to the heavens begging for relief from the whining of entitled people.
I have now come to a place of acceptance (there will always be annoying entitled people) and gratitude (this would be so much worse if you were not managing the property). Here are my thoughts:
As you already know, I will pay for any repairs, which includes fixing or maintaining the condo to address safety issues, and/or functioning. I will not pay for upgrades. Based on my knowledge of the bathroom:
1) If the tiles are loose (which is likely as there was one that was loose when I lived there) it's appropriate to repair, and if necessary, replace. I like the tiles in there now, but I'm not sure if it's feasible to simply re-grout if they are loose. I'll let you investigate this and let me know what you think should be done, and give me an estimate. If the flooring needs to be replaced, please match the color/style as closely as you can.
2) I do not believe there are "cracks" in the tub, though there are scratches in the paint. Please give it a look and see if a repair is necessary to keep water from leaking to the floor below. If not, well, we must all live with imperfection in our lives.
3) If the unsightly screw holes for the commode present a safety issue, or interfere with their functioning, please sand them down.
4) We would all love larger cabinets, wouldn't we? No.
So now, I'll rant. If you think it will help to share any of the info below with Susan, feel free. Probably none of this is helpful; I trust your judgement.
Susan is making the following assumptions:
1) If she asks repeatedly for the bathroom to be renovated, it will be done
2) She will continue to live at 123 Main St. past her April 30th lease agreement
3) I have the money/desire to renovate a functional bathroom in a rental unit
None of these are true.
Susan asked about the bathroom to be remodeled in March of 2019. The answer was no. She then asked you again in July 2020. The answer was no. She is now asking again in December of 2020. I grow weary.
It may be helpful for Susan to understand that the $1600 per month rent she pays is very reasonable. Below is information on current rental costs of 2 BR 1.5 bath rentals in East Bumm - in less desirable locations, with no garage:
- Junipers,: $2020-2090 (heat included)
- Evergreen, also off Route 123: $1705 (heat included)
- Lobster Landing: $1825 (no utilities)
- The Zillow rental estimate for 123 Main St is $2400, with a range of $1704-2688.
I am not certain whether, or when I will return to living in 123 Main St. If I do, I'll likely move back sometime between July 2021 through October 2021. Susan should not count on another year in 123 Main St. when her lease is up.
If I do move back, I may, at that time, do some upgrades. The next time you are at the condo, if you could take a look at the downstairs closet in the entryway, and give me your opinion/rough estimate on whether a stack washer/dryer could be placed next to the exterior wall? There used to be a water line that ran through that closet to a spigot outside, which was probably redirected to pump water to the fascinating 1/2 bathroom downstairs (no, I did NOT do that).
Thank you for your patience and your service.
Tammy"
Please reply with your thoughts. I would love to hear what others think! Happy Holidays!
