Renter suck

[Sapphire Silk]

So, when I got my new job in another state, I put my house in North Carolina up for rent. I'm underwater on it and can't sell it right now. The house is in good shape but the deck is a little rough at the moment. Before I rented it out I replaced a number of bad boards and power washed it, but I couldn't afford to sand and finish it. So I told the management company that my plan was to save some money and do it in May or June. /bg

So fast forward to a week or so ago. The management company forwards me a complaint that the deck is "unsuable" due to popping nails and rotten boards. The agent checks it out but doesn't mention anything specific. I'm headed down that way in about a week to check it out myself, but it so happens that Evil Empryss is already down there for the closing on her house (which FINALLY sold). So I text her and ask her to take a look for me so I have an idea what I'm really looking at. She agrees and I tell the management company to pass the word on to the renter.

So EE texts me a bit ago. Renter wasn't there when she showed up but they returned as she was texting me about a board that really should be replaced right away and and with an offer to fix it for me while she's there. Daughter starts giving her a really hard time about legal liability and her mother almost put her foot through the board getting to the grill . . . which she put next to the bad board and left there while she continues to use it knowing its rotten. SMH.

EE is going to fix it for me, but she walks if she gets so much as one nasty look from this bitch. I wrote the agent to let him know that.

I hope I don't have to deal with any more of this shit when I go down there next week to look at it myself. Because I am just not in the mood given all the issues I've had getting paid by these lawyers.

[notalwaysright]

For years now if there is an issue I send my landlord a picture of whatever it is. After a rain and windstorm part of the gutter came apart from the roof, *click* send. Twice in my current place after a windstorm part or all of a tree blew over, *click* send. The only thing which I couldn't really take a picture of was when the lock on the laundry room door was getting loose and I had to stand there and jiggle the lock forever before it would open. After some months, and the landlord telling me that "nobody else has complained about it" I finally left my key under the mat and asked him to come try to use the key. Got new lock pretty fast after he could see I wasn't just a giant whiner-face.

I would think if the rotten board was in a place they have to walk (like an entry porch or something) that would be a more immediate issue than on a deck which is presumably not the only way into the house. I'd be careful, though. Maybe have EE put cones around it, even though that sounds silly, we know how dumb people can be. Not to mention litigious.

[iradney]

Oh yeah, my (soon to be ex*) landlord is awesome. I email/text him pictures of whatever is wrong and he gets it sorted toot sweet. He prefers it done via mail/text because then it's date and time stamped.



*I'm moving in with the boyfriend

[icmedia]

You should check out the laws in that area...Where I live, if you cordon off the dangerous space with something semi-permanent (like rope) and some caution tape, you can't be sued if they cross the boundary and are injured.

(Disclaimer: IANAL, and this is in Ohio-laws may vary from state-state or locality)

[Sapphire Silk]

I would think if the rotten board was in a place they have to walk (like an entry porch or something) that would be a more immediate issue than on a deck which is presumably not the only way into the house. I'd be careful, though. Maybe have EE put cones around it, even though that sounds silly, we know how dumb people can be. Not to mention litigious.

There was ONE rotten board. She replaced it. The deck does need substantial work but it is safe for the time being. But yeah, I am worried about liability.

You should check out the laws in that area...Where I live, if you cordon off the dangerous space with something semi-permanent (like rope) and some caution tape, you can't be sued if they cross the boundary and are injured.

(Disclaimer: IANAL, and this is in Ohio-laws may vary from state-state or locality)

My house is in North Carolina. It is a contributory negligence state; if the plaintiff is even a little bit at fault, it is very hard to sue.

The renter is satisfied with the work. I told her if she had any further concerns, not to use the deck until I get the work done in a couple of months.