What to do scratch tenant table during repair.

[blau]

What is the name of your state? CA

A few days ago my tenant told me that the cealing fan borke and one of the blades came apart.

So my dad went to replace the fan. The tenant called me today and told me that my dad scratch the dinning room table while he was there replacing the fan and there was dust everywhere.

I said I will talke a look at it. I think he may have place the fan on the table while he was there and possiblely place tools on the table while he was there. But I don't see he could have place scratch on the table. It is not like he had power tools with him or drop the fan on the table. I don't see how a big scratch could have been done. And how could the dust be a big issue.

What do you guys think I should do?

 

[fairisfair]

Placing tools or anything else on the furniture was obviously NOT a good idea. You should have protected your tenants possessions, both from the scratches, and from the dust.

Dust to you may be no big deal, what if your tenant has some type of respiratory issues??

The dust was most likely just an additional irritant in addition to the scratched table. Have you been there to view the damage yourself?? What does the tenant want you to do??

 

[BL]

Did you take a look ?

Did you ask your father about it ?

What is the tenant asking for ?

Your father should have taken necessary precautions to protect the table , if in fact the damage was caused by him , even non intentional .

 

[blau]

I have not taken a look at it yet. But I agree to do so tonight.

I have not talked to my dad, yet.

The tenant did not demand anything, yet. But the fact that he mention it mean to me that he want something. It seem like his wife have more of a problem with it.

After seeing it should I offer him something for it? And what would be fair. Assuming they are just scratches and have not gone through the finish of the wood. Or should I just ask him what he want us to do about it.

 

[BL]

It would be up to what it would take to restore it in like condition .

You could take pictures of it , and run it by a furniture re-finisher to get an estimate , and offer that amount . It also would depend on the condition and worth of the table before scratches occurred .

You'll have to wait and see the extent of the damage , it's worth , and go from there .

 

[xylene]

As a tenant I expect workmen to clean up ALL dust from work.

As to the table, even deep scratches can be fixed by a wood pro.

 

[blau]

New information:

My dad went over to take a look at it. The table was pitted with other marks that were not related to him, the tenant admitted that. But my dad said it is possible that he left marks on the table but these marks are like marks you can make with your fingernail. Or just from placing the fan or screw driver from the table, he insisted that he did not drop anything on the table or anything like that.

The problem is that this table have been used and it is fill with other scratches or pits that could not possible been from my dad. While my dad may have place hands tools on the table and even the fan, I don’t think he used the table any rougher than the tenants.

I guess lesson is, don’t touch anything or you will get blame.

 

[fairisfair]

New information:

My dad went over to take a look at it. The table was pitted with other marks that were not related to him, the tenant admitted that. But my dad said it is possible that he left marks on the table but these marks are like marks you can make with your fingernail. Or just from placing the fan or screw driver from the table, he insisted that he did not drop anything on the table or anything like that.

The problem is that this table have been used and it is fill with other scratches or pits that could not possible been from my dad. While my dad may have place hands tools on the table and even the fan, I don’t think he used the table any rougher than the tenants.

I guess lesson is, don’t touch anything or you will get blame.

Yep, a simple drop cloth thrown over the table would have prevented the whole thing.

did the tenant tell you what they are expecting from you??

 

[BL]

So since the tenants admit pit marks already in the table , what is their position on it ?

Is this an older or newer table ?

 

[blau]

Yep, a simple drop cloth thrown over the table would have prevented the whole thing.

did the tenant tell you what they are expecting from you??

It is an older table that have been used. it is not a table that has been reserved for special events.

Yes, putting a cloth over everyting would have prevented it. The tenant have not told us what he expected.

But the question is what should I do know. I guess the tenant at this point admitted that there was a lot of pitting there already on the table. And my dad admitted that it is possible that he put some light scratches that did not go through the varnish while he was there looking at the table.

Do I need to go over tonight to document and see what happen? Or just wait to see what my tenant want next.

 

[fairisfair]

It is an older table that have been used. it is not a table that has been reserved for special events.

Yes, putting a cloth over everyting would have prevented it. The tenant have not told us what he expected.

But the question is what should I do know. I guess the tenant at this point admitted that there was a lot of pitting there already on the table. And my dad admitted that it is possible that he put some light scratches that did not go through the varnish while he was there looking at the table.

Do I need to go over tonight to document and see what happen? Or just wait to see what my tenant want next.

If it were me, I would go over tonight, place some kind of marker (nothing that will leave a mark, painter's tape comes to mind) pointing out the damage that the tenant says your father did, and take a couple of pictures. Who knows, tomorrow all the legs may be broken off...... has anyone asked the tenant point blank what it is that they are expecting???

 

[blau]

If it were me, I would go over tonight, place some kind of marker (nothing that will leave a mark, painter's tape comes to mind) pointing out the damage that the tenant says your father did, and take a couple of pictures. Who knows, tomorrow all the legs may be broken off...... has anyone asked the tenant point blank what it is that they are expecting???

So your suggestion is to ask them point blank what they what us to do about it given it was already pitted.

 

[fairisfair]

So your suggestion is to ask them point blank what they what us to do about it given it was already pitted.

your father has already admitted that he may have caused some scratches.

You are still responsible for the damage that he caused.

BTW, I never said that you had to do what they ask, just find out what they are asking. Obviously, if they want you to send them on a hawaiian vacation so that they can get over the trauma of having their table scratched, well that would be ridiculous. Maybe they want you to take $50 off the rent, that would seem reasonable. There are all kinds of possibilities.

 

[blau]

your father has already admitted that he may have caused some scratches.

You are still responsible for the damage that he caused.

BTW, I never said that you had to do what they ask, just find out what they are asking. Obviously, if they want you to send them on a hawaiian vacation so that they can get over the trauma of having their table scratched, well that would be ridiculous. Maybe they want you to take $50 off the rent, that would seem reasonable. There are all kinds of possibilities.

Yes, your are right $50 seem reasonable. But not to put a too fine a point on it. My dad did said it is possible that he put some scratches on the table (he is not sure it happen).

I see you points. My dad should not be breaking things if he is fixing things. But it see like these people have a lot "blameing". Like, last time when we did the roof. They calim that dust from the cealing cause their print to jam and we have to pay out $150.

 

[fairisfair]

well, hopefully you will know next time, to have the tenant remove all breakable items in the area where you are performing repairs, give them 48 hours notice if at all possible, and for goodness sakes, use drop cloths and plastic sheeting, it is cheap cheap cheap, and even reusable. Yoiu know what they say about an ounce of prevention