Posted by Ken on February 17, 2009 at 18:03:18:
I would take it out of their deposit and that is the end of it.If they do not like it they can sue you,be prepared with pictures etc.If you argue with them it will never end and they will no longer see you as an authority figure.Lots of tenants like drama and will drag you into there problems if you let them
Help please… Tenants Dispute Damage they Caused - Posted by Eric W
Posted by Eric W on February 17, 2009 at 15:18:43:
Hello!
We had tenants in our house for about 2 years and they apparently never cleaned much. Especially the shower. The glass is terribly etched from mineral buildup. Straight mineral remover will not remove it, nor will vinegar, steel wool nor any other chemical used. The glass is etched. When they moved out the house was filthy. The shower glass was literally OPAQUE from buildup. After intense cleaning, the etching was revealed.
We sent them the glass company invoice and are deducting it from their deposit. They dispute they caused this. They are in another state now. Our rental agent told them that the dispute is between them and us. (Apparently he is stepping out of it.)
How should we proceed?
Thank you,
Eric
Thank you,
Eric
Re: Help please… Tenants Dispute Damage - Posted by Edwin
Posted by Edwin on March 01, 2009 at 13:51:21:
Eric, are you sure the glass is really etched, instead of just having a build up of soap scum and hard water deposits? Do not use a steel wool to clean, since that will scratch. I’ve always had good luck with hydrochloric or phosphoric acid to clean junk off like this. Spray it on and let it soak in 20 minutes or so. Be careful with metal surfaces, since too much acid can discolor or etch this. If it’s really bad, you might even remove the shower door and rest it in a horizontal position, so the acid won’t run off. It might take two or three applications, but that should do the trick.
Re: Help please… Tenants Dispute Damage - Posted by Edwin
Posted by Edwin on March 01, 2009 at 07:21:13:
Eric, be thankful that it’s not worse. You could be in the position of having to chase them for the money to pay the damages–and they are in another state. Good luck! You are in the driver’s seat. Deduct it from their deposit, and forget about it. If they don’t like it, let them sue you in small claims court. That will NOT be easy, since they don’t live in the area anymore. Once they figure this out, they will likely give up.
They are in another state - Posted by Rich-CA
Posted by Rich-CA on February 19, 2009 at 17:12:02:
and as long as the deposit covers it, who cares if they dispute it. The really nasty ones will always dispute damage charges. A rental agent is not a property manager and cannot be expected to do more than find a tenant, sign a lease. I hope you have pictures, but get a signed statement from those who did the work as to the condition and likely cause (in the case of the glass co). Then let them return to your state to sue you. Deal with it when you get the notice served for a court date. You are very unlikely to hear from them again. Now, if there is a shortage of funds (and it needs to be made clear that dirt is NOT normal wear and tear) then you may need to go to a collections agency.