LLC = Landlord’s Lesson Coming
I am renting a little house out past the suburbs of the city I am currently working in. It is a little old and the appliances are a bit dated, but it was much cheaper than a two-bedroom apartment downtown, and I move around every couple of years for work.
My landlord lives out of state and doesn’t have anyone local, so for the past year and a half, I haven’t talked to anyone. Just pay my rent on time and keep doing my thing.
About four months ago, plumbing issues started popping up, and two major appliances decided to give up the ghost. I notified my landlord via email and written letter (I rent a lot and have learned to abide by the exact wording in a lease). After several follow-up emails and phone calls, a local handyman showed up to look at everything and provide a quote.
After receiving the quote for parts plus labor, the landlord told me flat out that they will not be paying for the repairs. They said that since I am an engineer, they would allow me to purchase parts, install them, and then deduct the cost of the repairs from my rent payment. They said it was either this or “learn to make do.” I was not super thrilled at this response.
I replied back to them, saying:
Me: “If you’re willing to deduct my time and cost of the parts from my rent, I’ll get started immediately. Thank you very much!”
They were thrilled to hear it and asked me to send receipts for their records when everything was finished. Great! Now to put together all the pieces and get to work.
The first step was to file for an LLC in my current state. Next, I set up some cameras and borrowed a GoPro from one of my hiking mates. I was able to document all the repair process: from me watching YouTube videos of how to do things, to me making multiple runs to the part store to get that piece I didn’t know I needed.
At my day job, I make over $50 dollars an hour. That is what my time is valued at.
The final bill for everything has worked out to be about 12% higher than the quoted cost, and the landlord is very upset. But my lawyer, added to the email chain, has kept them very civil.
