My wife and I recently relocated to a different city in Japan and started renting out our 15 year old house, with a real estate agent / management company looking after the property. I’m curious what kinds of experiences other people have had with tenants, as we seem to have a very picky tenant on our hands and an agent who seems more interested in satisfying them, rather than us.
We shelled out a bunch of money upfront for cleaning and yard work — fair enough. We got a hint of some pickiness with the tenant wife not liking something in the kitchen, so we agreed to have it changed for maybe 20,000 yen, figuring we’d get them off to a happier start. At the same time, they wanted that little faucet reinstalled on the back off the toilet tank — agent got a quotation of 5000 yen for the part and 20,000 yen (!!!) to install it (which would have been, what, 20 minutes work?). So we found someone else to install it.
And now after they have moved in they notice that some sticky sheet in the kitchen has peeled back a cm — it’s a quick daiso fix but they complain to the agent who gets a quote of 10,000 yen to fix it. Some cushion floor which wasn’t glued down (on purpose) comes up an almost imperceptible amount at the edge — can’t have that, complaint, 15,000 quote to fix it.
For some reason they didn’t like the look of the perfectly fine pipes UNDER our vanity which you have to strain to see — complaint, 12,000 yen quote (to do what, I’m not actually sure).
These people also apparently don’t know how to install a washing machine — they thought our drain was clogged when water started coming out, complaint, guy comes and tightens a clamp in 10 seconds, 5000 yen bill for us.
Etc.
Curious if others have had similar or other interesting experiences with tenants, and where the line is drawn between our responsibility and theirs.
20 comments
I’m managing my own place.
I have a 50 year old, 2 generation house and access to their general living spaces to clean it. It takes me 15 minutes a day to wipe everything down and check drains aren’t blocking up (used to be a big problem) and nothing needs fixing.
I know you live too far away to manage your own place, but I’d tell the agent to go fix sticky sheets in the kitchen himself. Also, not liking the look of pipes is not your problem. I’d decline it and hope they move out at the end of the contract.
Isn’t this exactly what you sign on for as a landlord? Tenants aren’t allowed to or supposed to fix things or make alterations.
I have small apartments in Tokyo and if its not in the initial list of apartment equipment(ie aircon) or damage check form when they moved in I don’t fix anything. All up to the tenant. I know it’s different if it’s your house but your need to draw the line or they will nickel and dime you to death. Only do repairs when people move out. As soon as they sign the lease and they turn in the move in form, they accepted the building. Anything else that goes wrong is up to them to fix or I’ll charge them during move out inspection.
My contract with my landlord stipulates what specifically he will repair and what is up to me to repair or can change. I guess this is why.
Just say no, or they’ll keep asking.
Are you surprised at customers trying to make the most out of a subscription service?
Fix what you legally have to and turn down everything else.
You fucked up by giving her her way with the first unreasonable request. Likely too late to stop this train now
Oh no, tenants are asking me to fix my home. Since it’s a house i bet their rent it’s pretty high, probably less of what you spent to cater to them
Make sure to include a mandatory 500% tip in your contrscts in the future. You deserve it king
Lol why are you just randomly paying for cosmetic/preference things for another couple? They and the agent have you bent over a barrel and you’re just taking it, stand up for yourself.
I can’t speak to Japanese cultural norms, but you’ll just have to say no.
The agencies in Japan will 100% screw you. That’s how they make their money. 6 washers need changing? 6 trips billed individually. They’re meant to check that the tenants are looking after the building? Nope. Change a light bulb? ¥5000. Absolute crooks.
Oh man that sucks. You were trying to extract a good chunk of their monthly paycheck in return for not performing any labor, and now you need to deal with some requests and will be able to get less free money that you didn’t work for than you planned 🙁
Screw these unreasonable poor people who want to have a nice place for themselves
Ah you’re just unlucky I think. Did you vet the tenants before you agreed to rent to them? Obviously you can’t tell everything from doing that but it can help. It’s hard to turn down a tenant because you wonder when the next tenant will come along, but they will always come along.
My boyfriend rents a house out to a family and he uses an agent, he turned down several people before accepting the current tenant. He works in real estate himself and holds a license so obviously has an advantage in situations where industry knowledge is needed. And the agent knows to cut the bullshit haha
I would suggest saying no to these cosmetic changes. Do strictly what is legally required of course, but no need to be kind especially as they’ve already shown to be taking the piss.
Tell them no. What are they gonna do, move out? That would probably be good news for you haha
After having nothing but slum lords for my entire adult life, I can’t really blame them for trying to milk you for all you’re worth when given the opportunity. I guess you’ll have to learn to take up for yourself. Please don’t become another slum lord though.
Noob
Have you tried to use the word “no” ?
>~~landlord~~ leech
Fixed it for you
Perhaps have the wrong property management company looking after it. Mine does everything. I have zero input on anything. He select the tenants, the company takes care of maintenance (after consulting with us first) etc. We have no direct contact with the tenants at all. Nothing but money coming in every month with the occasional repairs. If it aint broke it doesnt get fixed.
Landlord here. You have to put your foot down with future requests. Only fix things when they are broken and it’s your legal obligation to repair them. If it’s not, then don’t.
You can PM me for future issues to discuss them.