I am a landlord, and do everything I can do be a good and fair one. I had a new tenant that moved in last month. Since that day, I have received complaints daily. The place was "filthy", circuits not working, needed blinds for kitchen, living room dimmer was buzzing (she installed energy lights which causes it to buzz), hallway wood floor "squeaky", wanted light in closet; extra shelf in closet, etc. Was upset that I was still painting the day she moved in - yes freshly painted; the front door needs replacing; and on and on, and on.
I have been very attentive, and have been addressing her "list". I have installed new back door locks; got custom blind made for kitchen, the front door lock is extremely old, so looking at spending 1200 to replace door; have repaired the broken outlets; installed closet shelves, closet lights, installed new lock set on hallway closet; painted bathroom window, all in the last 2 weeks. The place was clean, but not up to her standard, so I offered to pay her for cleaning the place. Yes it could have been cleaner, and I alologized for not inspecting it more closely.
The recent episode, is the electricity got shut off on Friday, because no name was put on the bill (tenant is responsible for electricity bill). Of course the electricity company will not shut it back on until Monday, so needless to say she is upset. I called the company and was on phone for a total of an hour to try and get it shut back on - no dice.
She now claims it is my fault, as the basement (common area) is on her bill - this comprises of laundry and a few energy-saving bulbs. We already discussed this, and she requested that I be frugal about using laundry (I am the other tenant in this 2-family). I said of course (have used laundry twice this month) and would look into getting the common electricity split.
She asked that I waive last months rent; I said no, that i would compensate her for cleaning, expenses, and contribute toward common area electricity for April.
She is now planning on reporting me to the "higher authorities".
I'm not sure what she intends to report; as I am doing everything she has asked except give her free rent for the month of April. I have an electrician coming out next week to split circuits in basement.
Am I in the wrong here?
I should also add, I've never had a single complaint from any previous tenants.
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Editor's Response
Even a landlord with the best intentions can run afoul of the laws in Massachusetts: There are a lot of them, and they are often complex. In this case, the law does prohibit improper metering of common areas. You should fix the problem ASAP. Good luck.