If you had her sign a lease... fix what is a real complaint and ignore anything else. If the water isn't hot enough then she should choose to take a shower during off peak hours. When numerous tenants use the hot water system at the same time... well... then the temperature won't be as hot as it could be.
She can not demand new windows. When she inspected the apartment she agreed to the conditions and you can ignore her demands.
Much of that stuff is "too bad so sad." One needs to do their due diligence BEFORE moving in.
However, I completely disagree with you on your stance about the windows.
Windows need to be able to be LOCKED. And you are an absolute idiot for screwing the windows shut with screws. Why don't you invite the fire department to determine whether that's safe or not?
The tenants can go stick it in their ear about the draft but as a landlord you have to allow them to LOCK their unit and ESCAPE SAFELY without needing to unscrew screws from a window. You might want to ask your insurance agent about this too.
Woah nellie! Fix the windows before you have a major legal problem or a death on your hands.
You must remove the screws from the windows - they will SHUT YOU DOWN and you will end up having to pay for your tenants to live elsewhere while you bring it back safe.
Have a professional sort the windows so they lock.
You have what is known in the trade as a "complainer" they need to be handled carefully, they are the type who will write about code breaches etc, and will research online rights etc and cause you a damn nightmare.
Explain you are getting the locks sorted ASAP, as for the shower its been serviced. As for the drafts the windows are old.
And leave it at that. DO NOT RENEW HER LEASE ON EXPIRY.
Then every complaint she writes, check if its justified, and then respond, This complaint whilst recognised and given consideration at this time requires NO ACTION.
That will shut her down.
If the windows are in a sleeping area and intended as an "emergency escape", screwing them shut has created a "life safety hazard" and you could be immediately fined thousands of dollars, depending upon your state building code and fire code.
You need to work out a plan with the tenant to start getting things fixed before you get yourself into more trouble.
The rule of thumb, for security experts, is that any window within 14 feet of the ground is considered an "entry point" for intruders and, for fire code, windows 20 feet or less from the ground are "escape windows" and must be openable from inside without using any tools.
hello all. i am a new landlord in state of new york. i just rented a 3 bedroom apartment in the student housing area for those who want to save on dorm expenses (they also get washer, dryer and dishwasher in the unit). one of the three students living in the apartment has been complaining about a lot of things already and she just moved in 2 days ago. the thing is, the rent is cheap and i have it priced a certain way (365/br) b/c it's an older home that is not brand new & so up to date. I just put a new roof on the home and slowly making improvements but she's very demanding. the windows are old but they shut and open just fine, the only thing is, they are somewhat drafty & the locks don't lock. they are on the 1st floor but it's not ground level, ud have to climb a ladder to get in the window. i understood her concern but new windows is costly and the locks can't be replaced because the windows are just not leveled right. i ended up screwing stainless steel screws (2 of them) in each window which they can unscrew if they want to open the window. and told them i will provide them with plastic window insulation for the winter time if they feel the windows are too drafty. i had an energy audit done and the auditor said that changing windows will not make much of a difference. she keeps demanding new windows but are the screws and plastic insulation good enough? now she's complaining that the shower water doesn't get hot enough for her. i just had the oil furnace serviced ($150)
