Once you receive a written notice and estimate from your renter, you are required to get your own estimate from a professional within 4 business days and start fixing the issue as soon as possible.

If you do not get your own estimate or start fixing the issue, after 10 days the renter can:

• Get the issue fixed by their choice of professional (the renter can not be related to the professional)
• Replace a broken appliance with an equivalent one instead of having it fixed
• Deduct the cost of fixing the issue from their rental payments until it is paid off

Once you have a professional estimate, come back and continue to your next step.

How to communicate with your renter

Whether the renter is complaining about an issue or taking action, it’s important that you do NOT retaliate. Stay calm and work with your renter to fix the issue as soon as possible. Examples of retaliation include:

• Increasing rent
• Decreasing services (like water or heating)
• Eviction or threatening to remove the renter

It’s important to remember that you cannot remove a renter or their belongings from the unit without going through the proper court procedure.