Marcia,

Was he complaining about a problem?

It's a $65 gadget to help locate which outlets are on which breaker.

We guys love gadgets and tools. He has too much time on his hands!

BRAD

He is not complaining about a problem. But just moved in 2 days ago and send me 2 photos. One photo shows that the outlet has hot neutral reversed and the other one has an open ground

NE (PA) I kind of like that idea.

Is this person work from home or do the use sensitive electronics?

Is this a tech person?

If so, that is probably why they are testing the outlets.

The one with the hot and ground crossed I would check on for sure. The other one may just be an older wire with no ground.

I am not a tech person but I had some tenants who were in the TV industry. They had equipment that they said it was important to make sure the outlets were grounded and wired correctly. I will imagine it is the same for this guy.

I'm getting way too paranoid in my old age. I hope this guy isn't "creating" a problem where there was none!

Some people that like to make a big deal for monetary gain, might even mess up something then say it was like that.

Fix it and thank him for letting you know.

You should have caught this before you rented the unit.

He has the right to expect the receptacles to be wired correctly.

Thank you, Jason.

Yes, this has happened to me several times. Not my fault or even my new Tenants fault. The problem belongs to the Department of Water and Power. They Meter Reader, who also disconnects tenants "power" when they haven't paid the bill for months.

In my 1920's buildings, I've replaced all fuses with breakers. But when the City DWP cuts off power, they remove the "black-Hot wire" and the "white- Neutral" wires. So when they restore power for my new tenant, they revers connect, switching the Hot for the Neutral/ground connectors. A dangerous situation. So I went up my block and checked 100 buildings and found 3 such situations. I reported them to the City.

They had it out for me because I reported these mistakes. I got called to the Head Inspector who asked me, "What credentials do I have".

I replied I got an electrical degree from L.A. City College, when I was 12. A Ham Radio Operator with a Advanced FCC License. A State C-10 Electrical Contractor License. Oh and around 10 other "electrical" certifications. Low Voltage, High Voltage, and more.

He might be a PITA or he might be looking out for you. It is hard to say, but either way training by you is required.

Another day in the life of RJ from CA.,

with no lack of self-esteem.

Marcia, if I understand correctly, you have 'nice' place in 'nice' areas. Work from home techie people make good money, have lots of sensitive equipment, and, in my personal experience, don't tend to be partiers, other than LAN parties. ( that's where a bunch of nerds get together with their computers, lots of snacks, and play video games all night. But, I don't know that goes on after college.) Techies like nice places, and can easily afford them.

Because I know how much all that tech gear costs, I have whole-house surge protection put on at the panel. And, I'd relish a tenant that was politely informing me of a defect in the electrical system.

Swap the wires, test all receptacles and be happy.

No ground might not be as easily fixed, depending on the age of the building.

My flip house had no grounds hooked up. I opened the boxes and found that the wires had grounds, but they were cut back and thus not used.

I now have grounded outlets throughout the house.

If the place was built in the early 60's or before you might not have that ground wire in place. Then you have to decide if you are going to spend the money to have it fixed or not.

I like it when a tenant tells me about something that needs to be repaired while it is still a little problem, before it turns into a big problem. I try to keep my houses in top condition. So, I would thank him and get it taken care of.

Even if this indicates that he might turn out to be demanding, you can not kick him out just because he reported that a wire wasn't grounded, so what can you do about it except for repair the wiring.

What's your market like? Mine has gone to the depths of Siberia, never to be heard from again, so if I had a new tenant who had income and good references and took care of my house and paid the rent, I would put up with some excess demanding. All that is available here to replace him are people with not enough income and 500 credit scores.

Totally normal for tech types. I'm in tech and it matters. That's why he has a tester.

I have one too.

UPDATE: 6x6; I agree with you in that I think he will be a good tenant. Yes, testing the outlets really isn't a normal thing, and it is something I would have never thought to test.

Dodge (PA): I think he will turn out to be a good tenant. Rather than just doing things that he would like, he politely asks. When I was over to the apartment yesterday, he asked me if it was okay for him to swap the wires. I know very well that the majority of people on this forum would not have allowed that, but I did. He did it and then sent me a photo of the testing gadget he used showing that it was done correctly and all is okay.

Oregon Woodsmoke--Like you, I also like to keep my properties in tip top shape. That is why I'm so particular about what kind of tenant I choose. You asked about the market. I'm in Milwaukee and apparently we have one of the hottest rental markets right now. I also have one unit that is furnished for short term rentals, and this year alone, I have received the most inquiries and booking requests I have ever received. It is has been a furnished rental for about 5 years. I'm getting $1550 for a 3 bdrom, 1 bath, 1500 square foot duplex. He came from an apartment where he was paying $2200.