Is A Tennant Required To Inform Landlord Of Plumbing Problems?
Sunday, December 13th, 2009 at
9:26 am
My tennant emailed that water has been leaking behind kitchen counter for several months now in the home I lease out to them. Are they allowed to have waited so long to tell me? This is in CA.
Tagged with: Inform • Landlord • Plumbing • Problems • Required • Tennant
Filed under: Articles-Home Repair
This is the reason I decided not to be a landlord. I could certainly have owned multiple properties and rented each of them out. But, I was always worried that just one irresponsible renter, or just one accidental flush of a clogged toilet gone unchecked, could cause $10,000 to $100,000 worth of damage in just one night.
There is insurance landlords can take out to protect themselves from such an incident. But, as we all know with insurance companies, once you make a claim, your rates go up significantly and you’ve marked the house forever, making it more difficult to sell.
You could take the tennants to court. I think this is now your only option. And, I would follow this option. BUT - I didn’t become a landlord because in my thinking…. if they are renting, they probably don’t have much in the way of assets. If they do, it’s protected assets like 401(k) or IRA money. So, I could sue and win…. but the judgement wouldn’t get paid. Yes…. you can win in court and still get no money. The court is very weak when it comes to forcing someone to pay the judgements. Yes (I have experience in this area too).
Best of luck to you.
They are only required if it is in the lease. They are not required to even realize it is a serious issue.
I not only include it in my lease, but I make a point to make sure they know I just love, love, love little problems. Please call me over the slightest problem. I do this because that little annoying leak can destroy the wall, the floor and even wash out the foundation (this has happened to my property).
It is really important to make sure your tenants feel liked, respected and taken care of, they will callyou if they do. If they fear you and do not want to risk making waves you end up with serious problems.
You have another problem now. It is not legal to rent out your property in CA without insurance. The state could fine you and your mortgage company is going to pitch a fit.
You might think about a different profession.
Yes they can wait as long as they want and just watch next you will get an e-mail stating that they will not pay the rent until the plumbing is fixed and they will get away with it. The laws are set up for the renter and the landlord always gets screwed! I had two rental properties and have had to file twelve evictions, I am owed over ten thousand dollars in unpaid rent and I will never see a dime of it. Being a landlord is definitly listed on the top ten jobs to stay away from!!