I have new residents who moved into a SPOTLESS former model townhouse in July....the prior resident lived there, used the house cleaner and carpet cleaner I suggested and got her security deposit refunded within 48 hours of her move.
The townhouse was SPOTLESS!
Today I received an e-mail from my current residents that they want to paint the stairway walls suggesting that the prior tenant damaged the wallswhen she moved. They have their own painter for me to consider.....DUDAH! No so fast.
They have no authorization to paint ANYTHING and while a DIY landlord may see a PERFECT NEW PAINT JOB for little or no money CHA-CHING!, I see that the current residents have damaged the stairway walls - probably moving in - and now want the walls REpainted at my expense.
This issue is addressed in the lease under the NO ALTERATIONS TO THE PROPERTY clause....that means NO new locks, NO REpainting, NO removing wallpaper or borders, NO planting or landscaping alterations....NONE, ZIP, NADA!
While residents may QUESTION why I would not UPgrade the property, my position is SIMPLE....1) I have marketing photos of the home as it was the DAY THEY MOVED in; 2) what they may consider an UPgrade may not be something that the next residents will appreciate; and lastly 3) this was the condition that they rented the property and any UPgrades or additions would have to be NEGOTIATED in a NEW RENTAL negotiation. HUH?
When residents want to CHANGE the conditions of the lease (property), that allows ME to REnegotiate the terms.
Comments(7)