A few years ago a tenant told us a hole had "just" appeared in her ceramic bathroom sink; the hole is a round 1/16" in diameter if that. This occurance has never happened at any property in the 45+ years being a LL. My handiman walking by one day mentioned to us he heard a drill-like sound coming from inside the house in the summer when windows were open. He also saw a man leaving the house with what appeared to him to be a drain auger. It was shortly after that the tenant mentioned the hole.

Fast forward to our latest property inspection, where she showed me another bath sink damage. She is a bit of a "collector" and had a large marble located above the sink on a ledge. She said the marble must have fallen and cracked the sink. I examined it in front of her and asked if any water had been leaking under the bath sink, while I checked for it, one of the things I do during inspections. She said no and I found no leaks running the water. She didn't ask for it to be fixed or replaced. A week later she saw my hubby outside and asked him to look at it. Not sure why, as she didn't ask me to do anything about it, but I noted on the inspection sheet that it needed to be replaced when time allowed. I feel it should be on her dime. I can't prove the small hole that she informed us of a few years ago, but she told me (again in person) about the crack I looked at. Hubby comes home and says we should replace it so I email what it will take to do it. Buying a sink that will fit the space exactly. This is due to the sink being in a large vanity which would need to be replaced if we couldn't get a good fit. And then the plumber to put it in. Hubby hates plumbing and isn't good at it so that's our stance. Her email back said it could be fixed with caulk. What a mess that would be and look and how sanitary would that be for cleaning?

I think that was said knowing it was her damage, even if an accident. And, if someone other than hubby fixed it she would be

paying more, especially a plumber.

She's a nice enough lady, but when we cleaned her carpet for her "gratus" she thought it would take maybe an hour. It took 2 1/2 hours to do it well; she has no concept of time and costs...she's never owned a home in her 60+ years.

I told her I would discuss it with those in the know. How would you handle this...to maintain a cordial relationship. She is a long term tenant who has lived in two different units in the same building. She seems to have plenty of $ for travel, and really does try to get the most out of us as she can. We are moving toward a hands off approach to things to keep the workload manageable.

That is sure how I took it when she told me it fell from a shelf above. Who puts a large marble in the bathroom above a sink or where it could fall on someone???

If the sinks weren't damaged when she moved in, then it's her fault that they're damaged now.

I'd replace the sink and bill her for materials and labor. Don't let her or her plumber do the work, unless you're willing to allow substandard workmanship.

I'd replace the sink that isn't leaking after she moves out and bill her for that one too.

Take charge of the situation.

If you want to give her a break then you hire the work done and she pays you. That way your plumber will be cheaper than if she hired someone on her own.

Breaking a sink is definitely on her. There should be no discussion beyond that. Long term tenant or not, she caused it or allowed it to happen.

Just had a tenant call about a slow main drain. She is buying the place so I am hands off of this one. She got the auger stuck and wanted me to help. I coached her thru it over the phone. She got it out and took it back to the rental shop.