Charging tenant for damage, using deposit

kerri_gt

FBaby wrote: »

Love this quote! Wonder if you would tell me the same if I accidentally put a dint in your car as I got into mine due to the wind. I'd tell you that your car is 7 years old anyway, so didn't think I should pay for the full cost of repairs and your answer would be 'Don't worry FBaby, accidents happen, it's part of life, so don't worry, I'll write it off, I work and earn an income so I can afford to pay the repairs myself'.

Amazing how one-sided some people can be when it suits them!

I have several dints in my car thanks to other people's doors and the like. TBH I have more things to worry about than a tiny ding in a tin can and unless it was significant or done on purpose I certainly would not ask for full cost of repair...nor bother to get it repaired.

lookstraightahead

You really need to have a few months rent put aside for such incidences rather than trying to claw them back. Thats the best way to run your business and not to sweat the small stuff.

michele-p

Fair point.

michele-p

My tenant has just sent her reply, following correspondence.
She was happy to pay the costs that were presented to her and considered them more than reasonable.
She is not of weak mind or a pushover, but considered my conclusions fair with regard to other landlords she had dealt with.
This is probably why she stayed with us for so long.
All I can say is trust your gut feeling on what YOU consider is right.
P.s. she moved out to return to New Mexico where her mum lives.

lookstraightahead

She sounds like a lovely lady who had put time into giving you such a detailed response .