Tenants Witholding Rent For Water Bill !
Hi All,
When the current tenants came to look at the home, they discussed concerns about the water bill and no fence in the yard. We told them that if they paid the asking rent, we would pay half the water bill and throw in the new fence over a 6 month period. They didn’t want it so we reduced the rent by $100. They signed a lease and all was well. Three months into their tenancy they suddenly send me a check with half their water bill removed. They now claim that I agreed to pay half their water bill and a new fence.
I just sent off a letter demanding the balance of the rent and explaining that the offer was only if they had taken the home at the full rental price which they did not. I think they are just testing to see what they can get away with but I am wondering how best to handle this. The lease clearly states that they are to pay ALL utilities and I remember explaining it to them when they signed it. What else can I do to protect myself? I am ready to ask these tenants to leave if that is what it takes.
Any and all advice is welcome.
Thanks,
JS.
P.S. I have learned a lesson here about making deals to attract tenants. If a tenant does not want the house at the price you need, let them go on to the next one.
JS.
Send them a letter of demand. Then start the eviction process. If you take this crap from them one month, they will try it every month, You need to come down on them hard and swift.