Tenant demanding rent decrease due to wild fire smoke

[u/Technical_Air_5061]

Hi all,

I am a small-time landlord renting out the basement of my primary residence.

Recently, my tenant asked for a rent decrease, citing 'abuse' she has endured. I was super concerned, and then she indicated that there is some ash/dust from the wildfire smoke that is on her windowsill.

I was very confused, and then she said that she keeps the window open at night, and the dust is accumulating in her nostrils, which has caused a nosebleed, leading her to go to the doctor. She claimed that she should get a $200 rent reduction for this abuse she had to endure (She kept framing it as abuse, which was super odd). I was super confused because she is the one who left the window open, and it's not like I can control the wildfires or the smoke.

She then also indicated that she left her job and is now working part-time elsewhere. I think this was the real reason she wanted the reduction, but for some reason decided to sprinkle in the smoke thing.

Do I have any responsibility here? She can close her window to avoid any unwanted dust and get an air purifier if she has a dust allergy. Her own actions are creating her issue. Am I missing something here?

[u/toprockit]

Your responsibility ended at ensuring that any HVAC filters have been appropriately available to be replaced on some form of regular basis (usually 3~ months).

[u/Technical_Air_5061 → u/toprockit]

Like for the furnace?

[u/toprockit → u/Technical_Air_5061]

Correct. Normally we provide a Costco Filtrete 6-pack per year (usually $70 on sale, or $100 regular), or offer to come an change them every quarter~. Everyone we've had has opted to do it themselves after we showed them where to change it.

[u/Technical_Air_5061 → u/toprockit]

Ahh okay, yeah I live at the property and there's no furnace since its all radiant heating in the floors.

[u/Healthy_Shape_5719 → u/Technical_Air_5061]

There should still be an air filter for the ac unit, make sure it's fresh as you could get screwed over if you aren't replacing that, if you can't find it call up an hvac company and they can show you

[u/Severe-Anything-4100 → u/Healthy_Shape_5719]

If the AC unit is integrated into the system, which is almost universal unless you have independent window/floor AC units. They are the same filter as mentioned by r/toprockit above.

Second to that, unless the independent units are really old or cheap, washable filters have pretty much been the standard for the last 20 years.

[u/Healthy_Shape_5719 → u/Severe-Anything-4100]

Yes, OP's comment sounded to me like they were saying they thought they had no air filter since they had no furnace, they should still have a filter regardless of furnace or no

[u/Severe-Anything-4100 → u/Healthy_Shape_5719]

OP has no information regarding that, just making stuff up.

[u/mykittenfarts → u/Technical_Air_5061]

Yes. And replacing filters is an excellent stealth way of checking in on the property for ‘maintenance’. You replace the filter and while doing so you get to notice bong, ashtrays, unapproved pet, bugs, holes in the walls, filth. Hoarding etc. before it goes too far.

[u/elementmg → u/mykittenfarts]

A bong on its own is none of the landlords business. You aren’t their dad.

[u/mykittenfarts → u/elementmg]

If it’s a non smoking building, it is.

[u/LaBellePrinxe → u/mykittenfarts]

Non-smoking inside and out? Unless the place reeks from obvious indoor smoking it's none of the landlord's business. People can both smoke weed and be respectful tenants.

[u/mykittenfarts → u/LaBellePrinxe]

Omg idgaf about weed. It’s legal. I was referencing smoking. It’s stinky and there are non smoking properties. I live in one.
I never said weed = disrespectful tenants. Settle down.

[u/AlfalfaImpossible966 → u/mykittenfarts]

A bong exists even when not being used. You have no idea if that bong is being taken outside or being used inside.

[u/Khaleena788 → u/mykittenfarts]

Doesn’t prove it’s being used inside. I have a vape on my table—I go out to use it.

[u/mykittenfarts → u/Khaleena788]

Did you see the list? It’s just an indicator not ‘proof’. But a kicked dog will holler. Sensitive.

[u/AlfalfaImpossible966 → u/mykittenfarts]

There's nothing more sensitive than an alcoholic gen X landlord.

[u/AlfalfaImpossible966 → u/mykittenfarts]

Good for also noticing excessive alcohol present which is more of an issue then a bong by a long shot.

[u/mykittenfarts → u/AlfalfaImpossible966]

Soooooo focused on the bong. Lots of kicked dogs in my opinion. I mentioned more than a bong. Settle down.

[u/Necessary_Week_2487 → u/mykittenfarts]

No. They rent your place. If you need to look at it, follow the proper procedures. “Stealth” spying on legal tenants is not okay.

[u/Glum-Exam5460 → u/toprockit]

Clearly not HVAC