Posting for a colleague: What would you do for this tenant/landlord situation

[Coronita]

I have a colleague that has a rental. The rental contract is a long term lease (> 2 years)…

1. The HOA of home currently pays for internet service.
2. Starting next month, the HOA is no longer going to pay for it.
3. HOA has given landlord a credit for no longer providing it. The credit is say is $30, and the internet service is $25 before taxes.
4. Lease with tenant is for a long duration (>2 years)
5. Lease clearly states that internet service is provided only to the extent that HOA does
6. Tenant is generally a good tenant, no hassle

In this situation, what would you do?

What I think I would do (since it’s a long term lease and the tenant is generally in good standing)
1. Tell the tenant what happened
2. Tell the tenant technically, per contract, that there is no more iternet service and he/she needs to get it for himself/herself.
3. Tell the tenant, as good will, you’ll pay for internet service up to $25 (and not over) for the remainder of her lease..
4. As such, you’ll just reduce the rent by $25/month (in case he/she doesn’t want the internet service anymore and just wants to pocket the money).

What would you? Would you just tell the tenant he/she is S.O.L. or would you try to cover the cost up to a fixed amount (to protect yourself from future skyrocketing bills)….

[Coronita]

FWIW: never been in this situation. BUT, if even if I had a rental that had an HOA that provided internet for free, I would have said on the contract. Internet service not included anayway…..And then tell him/her verbally the hoa currently provides internet, but I don’t know how much longer.

[NotCranky]

3

[Coronita]

[quote=Blogstar]3[/quote]
Lol.. It’s not a choice between 1,2,3,4 🙂

[NotCranky]

I like 3

[NotCranky]

No, I take that back, 2 is good.

[SD Realtor]

If the tenant is good then definitely 3.

[NotCranky]

Might as well be 4 then.

[Diego Mamani]

First, inform the tenant (that is, 1 and 2). Then, tell him that you give him the choice of 3 or 4.

[Reality]

The landlord should pass along the credit to the tenant.

[Diego Mamani]

[quote=JohnAlt91941]The landlord should pass along the credit to the tenant.[/quote]That’s #4

Something we didn’t consider is asking the tenant whether he really uses the Internet. Depending on his age, line of work, etc., he may not use it all.

[Coronita]

Thanks folks. I’ll point my friend to this blog entry.

FWIW: I think I also recommended putting this down on writing, and emphasizing “credit for internet UP to $X amount”…That way, if the cost of internet skyrockets in the future, my friend is only on the hook for $X….

[Coronita]

[quote=Diego Mamani][quote=JohnAlt91941]The landlord should pass along the credit to the tenant.[/quote]That’s #4

Something we didn’t consider is asking the tenant whether he really uses the Internet. Depending on his age, line of work, etc., he may not use it all.[/quote]

I agree. Good idea.

[DataAgent]

Lower the rent by $30 and the tenant can buy their own Internet service. Amend the lease agreement to reflect these changes.

[poorgradstudent]

Where can I get me some $25 internet? Is that AOL dial-up?

[Author]

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