Nothing like taking a Cussing from a tenant
Got a tenant that is totally mad. Just got back cause it took me one minute to find the problem. No lights, no heat... NO power. Main 200 amp GE breaker is worn out. Won't reset. Tenant starts cussing me out on what they are going to do tonight with no heat. I told them I would repair it in the morning. They want it fixed NOW...and start cussing on me again. Geesh.... I simply told this church abiding woman that I was not God and could not make it work tonight.
0
-
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
At 12:47:50 AM
Got a tenant that is totally mad. Just got back cause it took me one minute to find the problem. No lights, no heat ... I simply told this church abiding woman that I was not God and could not make it work tonight.
quote:Originally posted by spurgemastur
He said he'd fix it in the morning. I think that's reasonable. ... I don't see that this is such a big deal.
+1
Throw on an extra blanket and go to bed!
For cripes sakes ... morning is just a few hours away!0 -
Select,
Graingers used to have a emergency parts program that they would locate the part and have someone at that branch there to sell it to you (24/7).
I don't know if they still do it though.
Don0 -
HMMMMMMMMMMM! What's the PC thing to do [?]
"Political Correctness is a doctrine fostered by a delusional illogical liberal minority & rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous liberal press which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end." [}:)][}:)][}:)]0 -
You are doing what you can, as soon as you can.
Lowe's or Home Depot will have the breaker, depends on who Mfg the panel. I never heard of a 200 main going out though, wonder whats up with that?0 -
Never any guarantees in life as much as some people like to believe(nothing like depending on everyone but yourself).Tell her to take her arse to Wallyworld and buy her own dam space heater if shes so concerned about the cold night.If she hadnt become a witch over the situation I would've considered borrowing her one until the problem was fixed.quote:Originally posted by select-fire
I highly double doubt paying the respect parts on R Lee. LMAO...She is a black woman...[:D][:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by WinM70
You are doing what you can, as soon as you can.
Lowe's or Home Depot will have the breaker, depends on who Mfg the panel. I never heard of a 200 main going out though, wonder whats up with that?
...In 18 years at this house, I'm on my third 200 amp main. Beats me.
...If you have to cut the meter tag in an emergency, I can't believe they would fine you, as long as you can show them the bad breaker. Where I worked, I cut tags all the time and never got any grief over it.0 -
quote:Originally posted by MosinNagantDisciple
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
I put up the statutes cause some on here were acting plain stupid saying I should do it immediately. What is right is that in the morning I will get ahold of my service man, get permission to pull the outside meter from the electric co. and change it out ASAP if the part can be bought. See no one on here gave it a lick of sense to realize HOW this breaker needs changed. I just cannot pull a meter without permission.
Thats great and all, but there are other things you could be doing to remedy the situation. Lady doesn't have heat? Let her borrow a space heater. Give her some firewood. You dont have the fix the problem right this second, but it would be nice if you at least offered an alternative until the problem can be properly fixed.
That is funny, how is the space heater supposed to work? No Power remember? and if you are suggesting kerosene or propane heaters, they are for outdoor use.
Dang Select you stirred up a hornets nest, funny reading though. [:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by JWolf
quote:Originally posted by MosinNagantDisciple
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
I put up the statutes cause some on here were acting plain stupid saying I should do it immediately. What is right is that in the morning I will get ahold of my service man, get permission to pull the outside meter from the electric co. and change it out ASAP if the part can be bought. See no one on here gave it a lick of sense to realize HOW this breaker needs changed. I just cannot pull a meter without permission.
Thats great and all, but there are other things you could be doing to remedy the situation. Lady doesn't have heat? Let her borrow a space heater. Give her some firewood. You dont have the fix the problem right this second, but it would be nice if you at least offered an alternative until the problem can be properly fixed.
That is funny, how is the space heater supposed to work? No Power remember? and if you are suggesting kerosene or propane heaters, they are for outdoor use.
Dang Select you stirred up a hornets nest, funny reading though. [:D]
Both kerosene and propane can be used indoors, and are rated as such.
you can even buy propane/ng "ventless" heaters.
Don0 -
UPDATE
Special thanks to the tenant for calling me again at 2:45 AM to tell me she had a house to clean and would not be there till 7 AM.[:(!]
She called again at 3:30 AM to remind me she would be back at 8 AM[V]
She called again at 4 AM and said she miss dialed and I wasn't the one she aimed to call.[:(!][:(!]
She called again at 4:20 and said the same thing again[:(!][:(!]
She called again at 5 AM.. and before she said anything I said " look here, I have been up all night since 12:15 AM when you called the first time. I am going to bed and will look at it in a couple hours. [:(!][:(!][:(!][:(!]
Situation is this, GE outside box is shot. I didn't pull the meter, no use. Breaker is about $80-100 bucks. New box will run $109 and I will pay an electrician to change it out. Tenant was there this morning and I told her it should be done by Monday or Tuesday pending their schedule. Out of my hands now.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mercury
I wouldn't take a cussing either, but if they were MY tenants, they'd be offered $50 for a night in a hotel......and yes, I do have rentals.
Merc
how bout $50 off the next month rent instead? I can sleep with an extra blanket...[:D]0 -
An expression for this is "the relationship has gone sour". When she started cussing it was time to look for ways to separate business dealings with as little damage as possible. 0 -
I had to dump several posts for name-calling. Knock it off. You disagree, fine, say so. I disagree, too, on some level, with both positions.
I have never been a landlord, and will not be. I have spent 6 years working for and living in two different apartment communities. I won't do that again, either.
At one property, the water was centrally heated for the entire complex by a huge gas-fired boiler attached to one laundry room. One winter, it was COLD, the boiler went out. The owners got on it immediately, but the source for a new boiler was in Houston, and it had to be custom-built, brought to Greenville, and installed. Projected time to complete was about 2 weeks. Management was apologetic, but there was nothing else to do. All the apartments were all-electric. So, we have heat, but no hot water. Want to bathe, or wash baby? (Mark was a baby then.) Put a pan of water on the range and heat it up, then put the water in the tub. With ten days with high temperatures in single digits, running the heat all the time, and using high-priced electricity to heat water, we had the highest electric bill ever that month, but we lived over it.
Poo happens.
Living in rural NE Texas, we have had the electricity go out a time or two, once even overnight. Guess what? The electricity goes out, TXU Energy has crews that get on it NOW. It may take several hours to restore power, but they get on it NOW, not tomorrow, and not in two weeks. The one time we lost power all night, and it was cold, we all slept in the living room about the fireplace.
Sometimes you make do.
If I have a problem that I can't fix NOW, chances are real good I know someone who can fix it NOW. Air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electricity, all can be fixed NOW, if you know who to call, and don't mind paying the bill. I can get a 200 amp breaker replaced at midnight on Christmas Eve if I need to.
I agree that offering an alternative to a tenant who is out of heat on a cold night, whether it be a gas heater or a hotel voucher, is reasonable, and would be a nice thing to do.
Refrigerator goes out? Around here, if you rent a house, 99.99% of the time, you will be expected to bring your own refrigerator and cookstove. Apartments generally have them provided. In an apartment complex, the maintenance guys will always have a few refrigerators stashed in the shop or in vacant apartments, and one phone call gets you a replacement right now. Maybe not required by law, but most property managers will take care of it now.
Security issues must be dealt with now. Door or window broken, broken lock, stolen/lost key, call maintenance and they must fix it now, a legal requirement.
quote:God put me on this earth to do two things. Feed the poor and house the needy. I use to run a food bank to help the needy. I now house people.
Now, don't break your arm patting yourself on the back, guy. Running a food pantry and being a landlord? Another case of apples and oranges. Owning a grocery store, where money is exchanged for food, and owning rentals, where money is exchanged for housing, now that is a fair comparison. I have no quarrel with anyone making a return on an investment, but the comparison doesn't work.
I help people out, too, when I go to work, but I am paid for what I do, so I don't feel too altruistic about it.
JMNSHO, with no name-calling.0 -
I'M OUT OF CHERRIOS! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
Any body else need advice or statute law in SC.?
There is a difference in statute and common decency we now know which one you are lacking in knowledge of. If the tenent is in danger due to your equipments failure let them suffer.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mercury
I wouldn't take a cussing either, but if they were MY tenants, they'd be offered $50 for a night in a hotel......and yes, I do have rentals.
Merc
Man, I wish you would post here more often. I have usually noticed a lot of reason an logic coming from you.
I agree. If a renter is paying for a livable place for him and his family, he has a right to expect the owner of that place to keep it reasonably comfortable and safe 24/7. Sure, things break and the landlord deserves time to get it fixed, but if during that time the tenents are going to have to suffer or find a way to survive the night because of exteme cold, flooding, etc. then the profit making landlord has an obligation to provide a safe place to live until the problem is solved.
Many renters are renters because they don't have much extra money. Not enough money to rent a motel for the night or run down and buy a gas space heater, etc. When a renter agrees to rent a house, you can bet they only agree to that house because it is livable. That means the landlord has a moral obligation to keep that house liveable.
An icestorm makes a house without light and heat pretty unliveable. Especially if there are any children involved in the situation. Not fair to them.
For example, what if a mudslide took off the entire back of the house. Would the landlord be justified in telling the tenant to just shut up, continue paying the rent and live there until the landlord was able to get the house fixed?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Fatboy lives
No lesson in South Carolina statuates are nesscarry. Perhaps a lesson in whats the right thing to do is though.
[:)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by tr fox
quote:Originally posted by Mercury
I wouldn't take a cussing either, but if they were MY tenants, they'd be offered $50 for a night in a hotel......and yes, I do have rentals.
Merc
I agree. If a renter is paying for a livable place for him and his family, he has a right to expect the owner of that place to keep it reasonably comfortable and safe 24/7. Sure, things break and the landlord deserves time to get it fixed, but if during that time the tenents are going to have to suffer or find a way to survive the night because of exteme cold, flooding, etc. then the profit making landlord has an obligation to provide a safe place to live until the problem is solved.
For example, what if a mudslide took off the entire back of the house. Would the landlord be justified in telling the tenant to just shut up, continue paying the rent and live there until the landlord was able to get the house fixed?
Very good point. Leave me give you the interpretation from SC law. Landlords provide housing. Tenants pay. If anytime something breaks the tenant is required to notify the landlord of the issue. That was done. By law the Landlord has to provide essential services but however has a right by law to repair the services in a " reasonable amount of time" or 14 days when the tenant notifies them. However some Landlords like myself take it a step farther to protect themselves from tenants that are sue crazy. My agreement states the tenant cannot hold me liable for damaged food, theft of property, or any claim whatsoever. If the home burns down and the tenant is left homeless... My responsibility is actually nothing. They insure their furnishings and collect their insurance. I am only responsible to return security deposit and pro rated rents of the days they did not have housing. Pro rated rent in a case of a broken part is not applicable.
Some reasoning on here is actually funny... If your power goes out call your lender and see if they will provide a motel.LMAO[:D][:D]
As far a Profit making Landlord...You BET I make a lot and still buying more properties. I will soon hire another service man to keep it going..
GW... Doing well...[;)]
PS... trfox.. leave the real estate/ landlording stuff to other people.. and stick with your rent a cop job0 -
As on right now neither licensed electrician has called me back. Looks like on Monday they will get the work order to change out an outside panal box. Judge will be real happy I took care of this in a " timely manner "...[8D][8D] 0 -
....[:D][:D]...one of a million reasons I never had/held rental property.
Dealing with most people in this situation is always a love/hate relationship...for me anyway.
What happened to relying on oneself? Let 'em buy a house, or should I say "money pit"?...then see what they do when the central heat bombs w/it 15 degrees outside, at 1am, on the weekend; to the tune of about $2,400 bucks...see how FAST she gets it fixed!
I'm sure if it was "life/death" you would do something to help 'em w/the heat...other wise TS. Give 'em an inch and...
A lot of land lords would make it a point to take the full two weeks...even if it was a "one day" project...[;)]
0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
I had to dump several posts for name-calling. Knock it off. You disagree, fine, say so. I disagree, too, on some level, with both positions.
I have never been a landlord, and will not be. I have spent 6 years working for and living in two different apartment communities. I won't do that again, either.
At one property, the water was centrally heated for the entire complex by a huge gas-fired boiler attached to one laundry room. One winter, it was COLD, the boiler went out. The owners got on it immediately, but the source for a new boiler was in Houston, and it had to be custom-built, brought to Greenville, and installed. Projected time to complete was about 2 weeks. Management was apologetic, but there was nothing else to do. All the apartments were all-electric. So, we have heat, but no hot water. Want to bathe, or wash baby? (Mark was a baby then.) Put a pan of water on the range and heat it up, then put the water in the tub. With ten days with high temperatures in single digits, running the heat all the time, and using high-priced electricity to heat water, we had the highest electric bill ever that month, but we lived over it.
Poo happens.
Living in rural NE Texas, we have had the electricity go out a time or two, once even overnight. Guess what? The electricity goes out, TXU Energy has crews that get on it NOW. It may take several hours to restore power, but they get on it NOW, not tomorrow, and not in two weeks. The one time we lost power all night, and it was cold, we all slept in the living room about the fireplace.
Sometimes you make do.
If I have a problem that I can't fix NOW, chances are real good I know someone who can fix it NOW. Air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electricity, all can be fixed NOW, if you know who to call, and don't mind paying the bill. I can get a 200 amp breaker replaced at midnight on Christmas Eve if I need to.
I agree that offering an alternative to a tenant who is out of heat on a cold night, whether it be a gas heater or a hotel voucher, is reasonable, and would be a nice thing to do.
Refrigerator goes out? Around here, if you rent a house, 99.99% of the time, you will be expected to bring your own refrigerator and cookstove. Apartments generally have them provided. In an apartment complex, the maintenance guys will always have a few refrigerators stashed in the shop or in vacant apartments, and one phone call gets you a replacement right now. Maybe not required by law, but most property managers will take care of it now.
Security issues must be dealt with now. Door or window broken, broken lock, stolen/lost key, call maintenance and they must fix it now, a legal requirement.
quote:God put me on this earth to do two things. Feed the poor and house the needy. I use to run a food bank to help the needy. I now house people.
Now, don't break your arm patting yourself on the back, guy. Running a food pantry and being a landlord? Another case of apples and oranges. Owning a grocery store, where money is exchanged for food, and owning rentals, where money is exchanged for housing, now that is a fair comparison. I have no quarrel with anyone making a return on an investment, but the comparison doesn't work.
I help people out, too, when I go to work, but I am paid for what I do, so I don't feel too altruistic about it.
JMNSHO, with no name-calling.
Not if the stores are closed and it is not available. And since you made the statement you don't have a clue then what it takes or how landlording works. Geesh..0 -
Maybe it was Bush's fault the Main went out. [:D][:D] 0 -
You are missing the point. It is not about what is legal it is about what is ethical. 0 -
Ethical would be a two way street. Thanks to the tenant for all the calls in the early morning, and the cussing. Still no call from my licensed electricians. They must be busy. Maybe they will get to it early Monday morn. or at least schedule it.[;)] 0 -
Ethical is not a two way street.
Vindictivness is a two way street.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Warpig883
Ethical is not a two way street.
Vindictivness is a two way street.
How would you figure the tenant to be vindictive? I am not it is getting repaired as soon as possible.0 -
You are both being vindictive.
The tenent- with the yelling and phone calls because of the problem.
You- refusing to make some king of accomodations until it is fixed because of the phone calls and yelling.
Just calling it like I see it. If it was me I would take the high road and do the right/ethical thing not merely the legal thing. Marginal behavior will get marginal results- you do what you have to do.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Warpig883
You are both being vindictive.
The tenent- with the yelling and phone calls because of the problem.
You- refusing to make some king of accomodations until it is fixed because of the phone calls and yelling.
Just calling it like I see it. If it was me I would take the high road and do the right/ethical thing not merely the legal thing. Marginal behavior will get marginal results- you do what you have to do.
Unbelievble. I even offered my generator to the woman so she could have heat and lights . Guess what? she wanted ME to pay for the gasoline to run it.0 -
I guess I was lucky that my last landlord was such a good guy. We had quite a few problems over the years and he went way out of his way to get the problems fixed...even had subs working late at night or on the weekends and holidays. He would not have considered letting us go 3-4 days without electric or water...unless it was due to an act of God...like the ice storm we had...or something to that affect. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by ECC
I guess I was lucky that my last landlord was such a good guy. We had quite a few problems over the years and he went way out of his way to get the problems fixed...even had subs working late at night or on the weekends and holidays. He would not have considered letting us go 3-4 days without electric or water...unless it was due to an act of God...like the ice storm we had...or something to that affect.
Well ECC I am not licenced to change out a panal box. Help is on the way.0 -
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
quote:Originally posted by Warpig883
You are both being vindictive.
The tenent- with the yelling and phone calls because of the problem.
You- refusing to make some king of accomodations until it is fixed because of the phone calls and yelling.
Just calling it like I see it. If it was me I would take the high road and do the right/ethical thing not merely the legal thing. Marginal behavior will get marginal results- you do what you have to do.
Unbelievble. I even offered my generator to the woman so she could have heat and lights . Guess what? she wanted ME to pay for the gasoline to run it.
...it's odd that you failed to mention that until now. This little piece of info would have stopped most of the criticism from the start.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
104 comments