I also do yardwork, snow removal, maintenance, and I pay out of my ass when anything breaks because I have an obligation to provide for my tenant and I take that seriously.
You’re right, it is the system that is the problem. The relationship between you and your tenant is unequal. There is nothing forcing you to do right by your tenant by performing all of that maintenance work because you have not entered into an equal agreement with your tenant. You could stop doing all those things and your tenant would have no recourse because they aren’t paying you to perform any service, they are paying you for the privilege of staying in your property. You may feel that you have an obligation to do those things but you aren’t actually obligated by law, and that’s a problem.
That’s not true at all. Not only is it expressly outlined in our lease agreement, there’s plenty of laws regarding landlord obligations and renters’ rights. If I don’t uphold my end of the lease, my tenant absolutely has legal recourse. He can sue for rent and I could get fined for each day the home doesn’t meet requirements.
You’re right, it is the system that is the problem. The relationship between you and your tenant is unequal. There is nothing forcing you to do right by your tenant by performing all of that maintenance work because you have not entered into an equal agreement with your tenant. You could stop doing all those things and your tenant would have no recourse because they aren’t paying you to perform any service, they are paying you for the privilege of staying in your property. You may feel that you have an obligation to do those things but you aren’t actually obligated by law, and that’s a problem.
That’s not true at all. Not only is it expressly outlined in our lease agreement, there’s plenty of laws regarding landlord obligations and renters’ rights. If I don’t uphold my end of the lease, my tenant absolutely has legal recourse. He can sue for rent and I could get fined for each day the home doesn’t meet requirements.