What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?RI
I am having issues with my 2nd fl. tenants who I am not sure are simple minded or taking advantage of me, knowing I'm not too experienced as a landlord.They took the apt unaware they had to pay for their own heating(they moved from NYC). I shopped for the best oil rate for them (they dont speak english too well),gave them written instructions,etc. They were upset about paying for their heat,especially for oil heating. Then, they argued that the 50 yrs+ boiler needed repair/replaced due to inefficiency( which we never disputed), however they also claim that they're ordering too much oil monthly which I also agree, the question is how much more are they overpaying and how much should I help to compensate and what are my obligations as a landlord with minimal means. I lived it that same unit for a year and didnt change the boiler because we couldnt afford it and still cant.
THey claim to order 100 gals per week @ 2.30 per gal, that about $1000 per month. They called us on three separate ocasions on friday nights that they were out of oil since the morning or day prior and their kids are sick from the cold and they didnt have money for fuel.We paid for oil/prime twice that was $500 in one month (nov-dec 05). I felt really annoyed but at the same time guilty and bad for not providing them with an efficient boiler. They told my brother who lives nearby they had found an apt and were leaving without even calling us. I accepted it since they were not used to the unexpected expense .When I informed them I was going to start showing the apt they cried they lost the apt and didnt want to us to show until they found another place.Their lease expired in 12/31/05 and is now month-month. I have not shown the apt since. I gave them the RI energy asst info, they were awarded $600 in Dec 05.
We now wanted to collect rent for Jan 06 and they're crying that because of the boiler inefficiency they're paying monies they could use for the rent and want a deduction to compensate. All their friends have advised them that they should be using only 100 gals per month for heating. Bear in mind that they're 8-9 in the 900+ sqft 5 room apt with the heat running at 80 degrees non stop(the grandmother babysits). They had told me they would only be 3 occupants.Once they moved in I found out by chance they were more. I didnt say anything because they were so friendly,nice, meticulously clean and struggling financially.
I gave them the rent for $50 less than required ($700), I allowed them to use our gas/light for nearly a month for free, I dont charge late fee when a few days late, paid for $500 of heating oil and for some reason I feel like a sucker. Am I wrong or what? We are in the process of changing the boiler to gas either a used (cost $2k-$2.5k)gas boiler or new ($3k-$4k). More likely a new one just in case were not able to sell the house for a while and to avoid maintenance issues. We informed the tenants of our plans but are asking for a rent deduction due to the boiler issue although they have energy assist for $600 for the season. THey claim to have paid over $600 in less than 30 days already and wanted to keep some of the assistance balance after we install the gas boiler. We're not certain when we will install the boiler, and that assistance will be depleted in this month, so what are my options or obligations regarding providing heat or boiler maintenance for the tenants if they cant afford fuel again???????. my husband is considering giving them a $200 rent reduction to $500, but I think its too high and will only pinch our $1900 mortgage on this 2 unit property with the other unit vacant since this summer. Help, and I thank everyone for advice.
I am having issues with my 2nd fl. tenants who I am not sure are simple minded or taking advantage of me, knowing I'm not too experienced as a landlord.They took the apt unaware they had to pay for their own heating(they moved from NYC). I shopped for the best oil rate for them (they dont speak english too well),gave them written instructions,etc. They were upset about paying for their heat,especially for oil heating. Then, they argued that the 50 yrs+ boiler needed repair/replaced due to inefficiency( which we never disputed), however they also claim that they're ordering too much oil monthly which I also agree, the question is how much more are they overpaying and how much should I help to compensate and what are my obligations as a landlord with minimal means. I lived it that same unit for a year and didnt change the boiler because we couldnt afford it and still cant.
THey claim to order 100 gals per week @ 2.30 per gal, that about $1000 per month. They called us on three separate ocasions on friday nights that they were out of oil since the morning or day prior and their kids are sick from the cold and they didnt have money for fuel.We paid for oil/prime twice that was $500 in one month (nov-dec 05). I felt really annoyed but at the same time guilty and bad for not providing them with an efficient boiler. They told my brother who lives nearby they had found an apt and were leaving without even calling us. I accepted it since they were not used to the unexpected expense .When I informed them I was going to start showing the apt they cried they lost the apt and didnt want to us to show until they found another place.Their lease expired in 12/31/05 and is now month-month. I have not shown the apt since. I gave them the RI energy asst info, they were awarded $600 in Dec 05.
We now wanted to collect rent for Jan 06 and they're crying that because of the boiler inefficiency they're paying monies they could use for the rent and want a deduction to compensate. All their friends have advised them that they should be using only 100 gals per month for heating. Bear in mind that they're 8-9 in the 900+ sqft 5 room apt with the heat running at 80 degrees non stop(the grandmother babysits). They had told me they would only be 3 occupants.Once they moved in I found out by chance they were more. I didnt say anything because they were so friendly,nice, meticulously clean and struggling financially.
I gave them the rent for $50 less than required ($700), I allowed them to use our gas/light for nearly a month for free, I dont charge late fee when a few days late, paid for $500 of heating oil and for some reason I feel like a sucker. Am I wrong or what? We are in the process of changing the boiler to gas either a used (cost $2k-$2.5k)gas boiler or new ($3k-$4k). More likely a new one just in case were not able to sell the house for a while and to avoid maintenance issues. We informed the tenants of our plans but are asking for a rent deduction due to the boiler issue although they have energy assist for $600 for the season. THey claim to have paid over $600 in less than 30 days already and wanted to keep some of the assistance balance after we install the gas boiler. We're not certain when we will install the boiler, and that assistance will be depleted in this month, so what are my options or obligations regarding providing heat or boiler maintenance for the tenants if they cant afford fuel again???????. my husband is considering giving them a $200 rent reduction to $500, but I think its too high and will only pinch our $1900 mortgage on this 2 unit property with the other unit vacant since this summer. Help, and I thank everyone for advice.