If you haven’t tuned in to my multiple rants on this subject, here’s a recap: I rent a small apartment for short-term stays. It has given me my share of grief.
The newest one: self-declared ultra-religious lady rents the apartment. She leaves, and with her various items from the apartment and she left the brand-new computer in the apartment broken.
This is the last straw. I am fucking selling the place. I think whatever little faith I had in humanity is gone today.
What the hell is wrong with people who, because the are renting a place, decide that taking things or breaking them was part of the deal? Do they really need to take kitchen utensils? And towels? Do they need to run every electrical appliance non-stop, just because the power bill is included?
I don’t really have a dog in this fight but, why was there a computer there in the first place? I might could understand a wireless router in a locked closet, but not a working computer out in the open.
Don’t you have them leave a deposit from which you can subtract the value of these items? I have never rented a furnished apartment but leases I’ve signed have often had several pages of damage values (i.e for burnt out bulbs even!) that would come out of my deposit.
I’m wondering about the above questions too. Why was there a computer there, and do they not pay a deposit? Why not make the computer an option? Extra $500 deposit to use the computer while they’re there or something.
She leaves, and with her various items from the apartment and she left the brand-new computer in the apartment broken
This is right.
She leaves, with my various items from the apartment and broke the brand-new computer in the apartment. Bitch! I added the last because you seemed to need that feeling to be spoken.
Depending on your juristiction, “damage deposits” may be illegal. I live in Toronto, in Ontario it is illegal to require a damage deposit from tenants.
Plenty things have broken that I never complain about. I know wear and tear. Taking things with you that you did not buy is not wear and tear.
Even I (atheist) know that it’s wrong to take things that don’t belong to you. I’ve never taken so much as a shower cap from a hotel. It’s use it or leave it. Of course YM (and moral values) MV.
Btw, “Ignore it” was in reference to post #8, which seems to reflect a bit of a pattern.
You seem like a wonderful landlord. Goodness knows that for short term rentals especially, not having to go purchase all those items you mentioned is usually a welcome relief and appreciable convenience. Folks do exist that’ll treat you as well as you treat them but, obviously, they’re not the rule.
Are damage deposits legal where you reside? I think most people who don’t plan on any funny business understand their necessity and for those who don’t, maybe it’ll be what they need to either go elsewhere or to fly right.
My response was wrong, and I apologize. I’ve been traumatized by deposit-stealing landlords who don’t understand the meaning of “normal wear and tear” in the past over things like white carpet not being in “brand new” condition after 3+ years. Forgive me.
