I presume that it's because of a safety thing? Was it delayed maintenance, and it stopped being delay-able? Or has the guy been with you for 20 years, and there was never any opportunity to do it in between tenants? Is it something he's been mentioning for ages, or is it something that happened out of the blue? :)

Goodwill is cheap in the long run. I'd rather at least make the offer to the tenant, "Hey, I know this is really inconvenient. Do you have friends and family you can crash with for a few days? Or did you want me to grab you a room at the Motel 6 while this work goes on?"

That clarifies that you're offering the Motel 6, not the Hilton; and it shows that you're acknowledging the disruption, because everyone who rents something on an upper floor expects to be able to reach their habitation. :) And it gives the tenant a chance to say, "Nah, I'm good; I'm going to crash over at so-and-so's place" if they're easygoing, and if they're a bit more demanding, it gives them a sop-- a conciliatory gift.

Plan this Project. (Construction Management)

Double your Work Force.

(Put more Men on the Job)

Get it done in a Timely Manner.

Have a Guy there to Perform Clean up and Safety Issues.

This applies if its a Toilet or a Staircase.

Set a Precedent for Future Projects.

This aint no Country Club.

Who says He has to leave His Apartment for a day or two ?

Thank you for all your responses :)

Some background - tenant has been living there for over 20 yrs and he has not had a rent increase in 7 yrs.

I offered the pro-rate to him but because his rent is low (not rent controlled or rent stabilized) he would really have a hard time getting a motel room. Im trying to work with him but he's threatening me with a lawsuit saying that its the law for me to put him up somewhere.

The staircase happened out of the blue.

Isabella... welcome to Mr. LL. We're a helpful group, but we're also...shall we say...a bit inquisitive at times.

The length of stay and the below market rent: both are irrelevant as to your legal responsibility. There is no law that says if the land lord has a long-term tenant and has not kept up with market rent on for years she gets a pass on her obligations. So, cross those two items off your list of considerations.

Always rent at or very close to market. No good deed goes unpunished, as you're finding now from this demanding tenant. In his mind, of course you OWE him a hotel...he's been here 20 years, right? Your below market rent means nothing to him. Fix the stairs and send notice of rent increase tomorrow, to show your "appreciation" for his demands and threats. Regardless, I'd terminate his lease ASAP. No one threatens a law suit against me and gets to stay in my rental. I don't care who they are or how long they've been there. "I'm gonna sue you" = lease non-renewal.

The staircase "happened out of the blue"... so a meteor crashed through the roof and obliterated it? (grins) I'm making a joke, but let's be real here...staircases don't just spontaneously fall apart. Wood and metal are a bit more durable. You're saying that over 20 years this staircase has been solid as a rock and then yesterday with no warning at all it just became unusable? What REALLY happened?

We need to get down to the facts of the situation which are governed by the laws and your lease. You may owe him a per diem rate or alternative accommodations. What do your state and city laws say? If unsure, ask a competent, local real estate attorney.

Can't they use the fire escape? gee why not? It's only an 8 ft drop down.

Really -- get them a room for the 2 days and stop making excuses or putting things in the post that have not one bit of revalence like "no rent increase for 7 years" -- so thats your tenant fault? -- get real and do a reality check.

Loved the out of the BLUE it needs repair?

MYOB, sarcasm and criticism is counter productive. Even if your comments are true (and they usually are--you are very good at seeing the real problem) you don't have to be so cutting. Isabella came here to learn. That is best done without negative baggage attached.

Isabella, This incident will teach you to keep up with your rent increases, and to be proactive with your maintenance. I raise rents a minimum of $10/month every year just to keep up with everyday life increases. Everyone can afford $10/mo. My long term tenants come to expect it. And I look for areas in my rentals that are beginning to look shabby/worn, and I plan to fix it before it goes to extreme.

Lynda - thank you for your caring response.

You're right I did come here to learn not to receive a snarky response.

Your comments are spot on- much appreciated.

I would not raise his rent now in response to his childishness. I would raise the rent effective on the next anniversary date, and I would give at least 60 day notice of the increase.

To do it now would seem to be vindictive and retaliatory.

And I would pay three nights of a decent area motel. The night before construction begins, so that he is out before the work crew begins at 7:00 a.m., the night during construction, and the night after the job is finished. Because if you give him only two nights, he won't have access to his unit as soon as the check-out time rolls around at 11q:00 a.m.

Just make sure that you are only paying for the hotel ROOM for the nights/days the apartment is not accessible. YOU are not paying for any incidentals (room service, tv service (adult channels) as well as any damage to the room that may occur. In addition, ensure that once the apartment is accessible again that you inform not only the tenant but also the hotel that effective (whatever day) you are no longer paying for the room. This way if they want to stay longer - it's NOT on your dime.

Not saying the tenant would do anything - but ensure that the HOTEL understands that the TENANT is responsible for those things and that you are ONLY paying for the room itself.

Also -a s others have stated - make sure you are on top of the contractors and that they have a very short turn around time. Otherwise - you will be looking at being out money.

Isabella your from NY so you can handle it. I'm from NY and that's where I learned it. As they say in the south Buck Up! Whose answer will you remember? the sugar coated one or the one kicking you in the you know where?

Mike45 and cjl and cjo'h thank you for your replies.

As for the stairs -was only joking that it was out of the blue.

I recently took over the house from my mother who is in the throes of Dementia/Alzheimers. My brother lived with her and was supposedly taking care of everything but thats not the case as everything is a mess.

I'd pay for 2 nights in an economy motel. Big 6 or that level. He's got cheap rent, he doesn't get a vacation at the Ritz.

He'd also get his notice of non renewal because I won't keep a tenant who threatens to sue me and I suggest that you don't either.

Isabella,

Before you pay, ask about him staying with a friend or relative.

My lease is clear: management does not pay for alternate accommodations. Some repairs will make temporary inconveniences.

Me? if push comes to shove I'd discount the nights he was not able to stay and let HIM find an alternate bedroom.

This is upsetting to you because you THOUGHT he would cooperate due to no rent increases. They don't care.

Increase the rent at least a little every year. Do some math and you'll see you've given away THOUSAND$$$ for no reason.

Based on his threat I'd end the lease too. With him out you can re-rent at current market level and make MUCH more.

I have paid for a hotel for tenants before. The house had frozen pipes in the crawl space where they couldn't be accessed and ended up requiring cutting holes in the floor and digging trenches to get it all fixed. I looked up the rates for nearby hotels and found an inexpensive one that wasn't a total dump (don't just pick the cheapest). Then, I credited my tenants rent for the cost of that hotel, but let them choose and pay for wherever they stayed. I don't know if they ended up booking a hotel or staying with friends/family, but it all worked out.

This tenant has been there a long time and may have even reported the stair issue to your mother at some point before it got this bad. Make sure you have a firm deadline for your contractor and give your tenant a credit for the hotel costs.

Thanks again for all the helpful advice.

He says he has no one that he can stay with for a night or two - it is what it is

So Im going to put him up in a motel for a few nights - no incidentals

I will make sure to keep on top of the contractor - to get it done in a timely manner

I don't know about NY but in NC it would fall under habitability and safety issues. If the staircase is not usable how does he get out safely if there is a fire or medical emergency?

cjo'h

you can't be a LL if your all touchy feeleee!!!! with the info on this site it doesn't have to be hard knocks either.