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I’m a landlord in California and recently my long-time tenant called me to ask permission to paint the house a different color. I really did not have an issue with this, even though there was no problem with the previous color but he offered to pay for the paint job himself. Again, I had no issue with this since he was paying, so I approved.
When I went to the property recently, I saw the new paint job and the house looked nice. However, I also noticed that my tenant had made a landscaping improvement (one that I was not aware of, thus not having my official approval) by adding artificial/fake grass placed in the front yard. Prior to this work being done, the front yard was mostly dirt with patchy grass growth, so it does have a nice look now. I admit I was a bit surprised but it didn’t really bother me that much since he paid for it.
As we were talking about how good the improvements were, he did ask if I would consider maybe giving him a bit of a discount by deducting some amount from the months rent. I told him I would give it some thought and get back to him.
To be clear, my tenant did not ask me to fully reimburse him for the work, but just some kind discount in the a months rent.
He’s been my tenant for many years and has been a good one. He has taken care of the property and never had any problems, complaints or issues other than the normal plumbing or electrical issue every once in a blue moon.
In good faith, I was actually considering not increasing the rent this year instead of a deduction from one of the payments. I was looking for thoughts or suggestions if you think this is a good way to go?
Also, as a general question, I just want to confirm - Am I actually obligated to reimburse him back for the cost of any of this?
I mean, these were improvements he wanted to do on his own and the artificial grass was placed without my knowledge or prior approval, so I am assuming that the answer would be no?
When I went to the property recently, I saw the new paint job and the house looked nice.
However, I also noticed that my tenant had made a landscaping improvement...
Am I actually obligated to reimburse him back for the cost of any of this?
Nope.
Now think about what your options are when the work done is awful (or later proves to be).
I’m a landlord in California and recently my long-time tenant called me to ask permission to paint the house a different color. I really did not have an issue with this, even though there was no problem with the previous color but he offered to pay for the paint job himself. Again, I had no issue with this since he was paying, so I approved.
When I went to the property recently, I saw the new paint job and the house looked nice. However, I also noticed that my tenant had made a landscaping improvement (one that I was not aware of, thus not having my official approval) by adding artificial/fake grass placed in the front yard. Prior to this work being done, the front yard was mostly dirt with patchy grass growth, so it does have a nice look now. I admit I was a bit surprised but it didn’t really bother me that much since he paid for it.
As we were talking about how good the improvements were, he did ask if I would consider maybe giving him a bit of a discount by deducting some amount from the months rent. I told him I would give it some thought and get back to him.
To be clear, my tenant did not ask me to fully reimburse him for the work, but just some kind discount in the a months rent.
He’s been my tenant for many years and has been a good one. He has taken care of the property and never had any problems, complaints or issues other than the normal plumbing or electrical issue every once in a blue moon.
In good faith, I was actually considering not increasing the rent this year instead of a deduction from one of the payments. I was looking for thoughts or suggestions if you think this is a good way to go?
Also, as a general question, I just want to confirm - Am I actually obligated to reimburse him back for the cost of any of this?
I mean, these were improvements he wanted to do on his own and the artificial grass was placed without my knowledge or prior approval, so I am assuming that the answer would be no?
Thanks
Nope. You have no obligation to give them discounts or reimburse any money unless previously agreed to do so.
You need to emphasize that he cannot do anything - even something that might be an improvement - without your permission. Have a conversation, see if there are other projects that he would like to do, and talk up front about whether or not they are ok with you.
that's separate from reducing his rent or paying him back, and absent an unusual clause in the lease, you are under no legal obligation. But I personally think that telling him that you won't raise the rent next year in exchange for what he's done (and anything you BOTH agree to in the future) is a very good trade off on your side. It would likely only take a month's vacancy to end up with you coming out behind, and having a long term reliable tenant who clearly wants to treat the property like his own (in a positive way) is a great thing for a landlord. You should absolutely work with him to keep him happy and keep him as a tenant for as long as possible, as long as he continues to remain a good and reliable tenant.
No you are not responsible to pay him anything back. Just keep in mind that if he ever hires someone to work on your rental, regardless if authorized or not and he doesn't pay them you will ultimately be responsible for it. With that being said, tenant that want to stay longtime in the rental will often be wiling to make improvement themselves at their cost. There is really noting wrong with that.
Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all of the feedback.
Knowing that I am not required to pay for this work puts me at ease. As suggested by many of you above, I think I do need to have a conversation with him and ask that he notify me first before making such improvements in the future.
I guess now it’s just a matter of deciding whether I want to skip the upcoming rent increase this time. I’ve raised the rent for the last couple of years and I do appreciate that he is a good, reliable tenant with a willingness to improve / care for the house. I think I might be leaning that direction.
Without having an agreed upon understanding you are not obligated. HOWEVER, it sounds to me like this tenant just IMPROVED the perceived value of your home for you. Think about it, how much could you have sold it for prior to the changes and how much can you sell it for now?
If someone actually shows they give a bleep about your place I think that should be rewarded in some way.
But it's your call in the end.
Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all of the feedback.
Knowing that I am not required to pay for this work puts me at ease. As suggested by many of you above, I think I do need to have a conversation with him and ask that he notify me first before making such improvements in the future.
I guess now it’s just a matter of deciding whether I want to skip the upcoming rent increase this time. I’ve raised the rent for the last couple of years and I do appreciate that he is a good, reliable tenant with a willingness to improve / care for the house. I think I might be leaning that direction.
I would not raise the rent. Good tenants are hard to find.
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