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Just replace it with a non jet tub
Politely tell them to kick rocks. You’re taking care of the problem. There is minimal risk of mold and that would only cost you more money. The contractor should be cleaning up their mess once they finish the repair. It would be worth your time to go inspect how nicely they have left the space, and clean up if they didn’t. You could even do a visual inspection for mold yourself. They sell a spray at Home Depot for like $15 you can spray down if you want to go above and beyond.
Subject Expert
I wouldn’t dare do anything to “treat” mold myself. That kinda implies that you’re concerned about mold.
If you’re genuinely concerned, do a third party air sample test by a test-only vendor. It will run you around $350 to $400. That way, you have verifiable evidence that there is no mold. Of course, if the results come back with mold, you’ll need to remediate. And again, I would only use a specialist vendor. There’s no chance I’d try to repair it myself and open up the chance of not remediating 100% and having looming issues.
I had a leak in my non-jet tub, which I needed to have the full wall and tile replaced and mold mitigated. As it was the other bathroom, I put my tenant up in an Airbnb for the duration of the project. The contractor did a pretty good job cleaning, so did not get cleansers after.
If the rental had been more than 1 floor or had 2+ bathrooms, I likely would not have covered the Airbnb.
Coach
I think as long as you are actively addressing the main issue they don’t get to demand all those things. Things break and if you have a responsive landlord they should be happy.
How much of an inconvenience is it for this “tarp up”? Was there a leak/flood that caused water damage or potential mold? What stuff needs to be moved to the living room? Just bathroom items?
I have a clause in my lease that says I do not have to repair the jets in a tub or the gas fireplaces those are nice to have. I probably wouldn’t repair it, but if you have to do it I wouldn’t pay for Airbnb. That’s unreasonable they would even ask.
Thanks MD, good question, you beat me to the extra detail:
We’ve been responsive, actively working to address the tub since November when the leak was first identified. Tub water was shut off, it was a minor leak, no mold present therefore no mold able to grow since. However, contractors in our area have been elusive. We’ve keep the tenants informed as we brought in the plumber and contractor to evaluate and both of them consider it a minor project. The contractor was supposed to fix it last week while they were out on spring break but he got delayed. No damage to belongings, living room items just needed to be moved to the side so the contractor could tarp around the space and contain dust - it’s about 10x12’, which is half of the living room, leaving the walkways open (about 120sqft of their 1600sqft living space).
Subject Expert
What state are you in? What does your landlord tenant laws require as far as habitability? I’d Guess that running water is important, but a second tub is not.
If it was their only shower or tub, I’d say it might get tricky. But if the water for the entire house doesn’t need to be shut off for multiple days at a time, and they have access to a shower or tub for bathing, I’d say a small discount on rent for the month due to slight inconvenience is all that is needed. If they decline that, point out the minimum livable conditions as required by the landlord tenant laws in your state, and if they object, you can pursue them for any unpaid rent and potentially even evict them (assuming you are following all other landlord obligations appropriately).
Subject Expert
I’d point them to the landlord tenant laws in your state.
In the state I operate in, there are very specific requirements to notify a landlord of a “health and safety” concern. Until they follow those requirements, they’re obligated to abide by the lease.
I had a tenant who tried to say there was mold in the house. I did a test, mold was not found. She still insisted on repairs and me paying her health bills. She didn’t follow the proper health and safety notification process, but felt she alluded to it. She stopped paying rent. I evicted her. She fought it. I won.
Funny part: she was a lawyer. She didn’t follow the letter of the law and my eviction attorney roasted her for not knowing the law and thinking she was following it. I was entertained 🤡
Coach
Mold evaluation sounds like a stretch but getting a cleaner for after the repair would be a kind gesture.
2/3 off rent for a second tub not being available is a reach. And it sets you up for additional asks in the future as other normal things break.
I guess it comes down to how good are they as tenants and do you think they’d leave over this?
Coach
Sounds like as students they have a lot to learn about renting.