questions & answers

Question: I the home owner. I had a management co. The renter tried to fix stuff on his own. EX. tub faucet was taken off and the pipe was caped off with looks like a lotion top. Internal parts of toilet was removed and not replaced. Just to name a few. The never contacted the company to have them fixed. The CO is now telling me stuff I can't charge for the renter for failing to have them so the repairs. They are also telling me that a plumber costs to much & she has a handy man that can do the job instead of the plumber. She is also said doors that have dents can be patched instead of a new door.

Answer: A tenant should not attempt to make repairs within a rented dwelling unless the tenant has the landlord’s permission to do so. Under Arizona law, a residential tenant who purposely or even carelessly destroys or damages any part of a rented dwelling is in violation of the rental agreement (A.R.S. 33-1341). As a general rule, unless you gave your tenant permission to attempt to make repairs, your tenant should have to reimburse you for any additional reasonable cost that you as the landlord are required to pay as a result of the tenant’s actions.