Dilemma with additional items

Hi all once again,

In a dilemma and would like some professional opinions.

I am an owner of some units. One of the tenants has kindly requested that a few things be added to the unit for their comfort. We have been happy to go half/half on them with this as they have been good tenants.

It has now been brought to my attention that this tenant has now had a conversation with other tenants regarding these additional items, which now has in turn made them request these things also.

I am not happy about this at all, as the conversation and these additional items were purely related to that tenancy and their property only, not the whole block.

I am willing to facilitate the installation of these items within that their property but to be honest am not in a position to complete it for the whole block of units.

What are some thoughts and opinions and opinions regarding this matter?

Thank you all so much in advance

 

How many units is it?

If its a repair then you have a legal obligation to do that.

If its a feature request , just say no if you dont want to do it.

 

Hi D.T.

Thank you for prompt response.

It is a feature request. The tenant has even taken it upon herself to request i make contact with other tenants about this feature.

It refers to three other units. I just don't know how to respond should be I queried as I don't want them to feel as though I am being unreasonable if I making an effort to help one unit and not the others.

 

Are you the owner of the other units in the block?

Each lease is a stand alone negotiation, are the other tenants prepared to pay for the improvements too?

 

I am the owner as well as the property manager of all the units (I am a property manager by trade who happens to own properties haha).

I believe so but I do not want to be involved in sharing the payment for feature request. I am happy to do for one but not for all - i'll be left dry for the Christmas festivities

 

Sounds like a rent rise all around is order.

Ensuite replaced by jacuzzi? Sure , no problem. Helipad for tenant's UberCopters? No worries. Personalised chef for each unit? Bring it on.

Anything is possible.

But you'll need to invoke that famous Tom Cruise line from Jerry Maguire.

 

It's either up for negotiation or it's not. It may be implemented when they sign a new lease with $$$ increase.

 

If you don't have the balls to say no to people you wont make it far as a property manager

 

I'm curious what is this feature request...I'm guessing something like air-conditioning or flyscreens.

Unfortunately can't stop neighbours from chatting and being friendly to each other. The other tenants may have seen installers etc and asked the original tenant.

If the feature adds value and long term rent increases, maybe explain that you don't have the funds to do all the units right now but will do so when the lease renewal comes around? If it doesn't add value, then makes sense not to do it.

 

Haha I totally understand that, it's just that I do not wish to upset anyone. I don't want the tenants protesting over the fact I put forward landlord contribution to one unit over the others.

 

Correct, it is fly-screens. Do they really add value though? Thank you so much for response.

 

I have come across quite a few flyscreen requests, especially if the unit doesn't have aircon. I have even had prospective tenants completely rule out a property over the lack of flyscreens.

And with a kid who has a mild allergy to mozzie bites - I can relate.

If they are straightforward sliding/sash windows, I have a flyscreen installer who is really affordable (assuming this is in Sydney), just PM me. You can also choose select windows to do flyscreens eg 1 x master bedroom and 1 x living room.

I actually think flyscreens are one of the most affordable ways to make tenants happy and convince them to stay in a flat rental market. Always happy to help a fellow PM

 

Thank you so much. But what would your thoughts be if you had an agreement with one tenant who has gone on to share it with the other tenants in the block? I mean taking it upon yourself to share that information and then telling me how to do my job is just totally unnecessary.

How much does the supply & installation of fly screen costs anyway?

 

Well, you could say that because you spoke to others about these fly screens, now everyone wants them, which i cant afford, so it will be unfair just to give them to you, so unless the rent rises by $30 per week, you wont be getting any either

 

I wouldn't see this as being any relevance to the decision of whether I was willing to install flyscreens in the other units or not.

I actually self manage a 4 pack of rentals myself, and whenever something like this comes up, I already have a plan for when the tenants all speak to each other. Usually it involves matching whatever it is I offered to one tenant to the others, because I can't really think of a scenario where I wouldn't be willing to.

 

Do you mean flyscreens or security screens?

 

⅔ of SFA. They're generally well well below $100 per window and can be diy if you are hands on. You can pick up a kit from Fly Screens | Aluminium Fly Screens At Bunnings Warehouse

 

Definitely not much - between $40 and $80 per window in my experience.

I think in the tenant's view they might have just been friendly to their neighbours. The others would have seen them installed anyway. Next time you agree with a tenant on something, just mention to them that you're doing it because they're great tenants and not to tell everyone.

 

I agree with the poster who mentions to just do a couple in each unit now and the rest later. That way you show good faith and that goes a long way.

You should have an emergency fund for things like this I'd imagine. 3 other units x 2 windows each comes to 600 bucks tops. That's not an overly large amount in the grand scheme of IP repairs. Are there sliding doors involved?

As for your preferred tenants: Try to think of it with your PM hat on and not your owner hat i guess.

 

Thank you all so much for your opinions and advice. I have all taken them very seriously and have made me feel much better about the situation. I will just do the right thing and if I should be queried by the other tenants regarding them, I'll just go ahead with the installation of them for them.