Rental Contract Question

[MariaRubia]

Nan I believe you're near to the sea and I would suggest you look at investing in a fibreglass pressure tank. I went through several of those cheap ones and eventually went for a more expensive fibreglass model which has a membrane inside. Came to about RD$ 50,000 but it won't rust and will be cheaper in the long run. I'd suggest you go to Almacenes Unidos in Bella Vista, they have a good selection of models imported from the US and the quality is good.

Buy cheap buy twice as they say.

 

[keepcoming]

Nan, if you decide to go ahead and pay, I would do as JD suggests and find out what kind of tank she is getting, etc... You only want to pay once for this process, not having to worry if something goes wrong.

 

[JD Jones]

Also, the membrane tanks will last much, much longer than a conventional steel tank if they are made of fiberglass.

 

[NanSanPedro]

Nan, if you decide to go ahead and pay, I would do as JD suggests and find out what kind of tank she is getting, etc... You only want to pay once for this process, not having to worry if something goes wrong.

I am going to go ahead and pay the almost $200 in the interest of keeping the peace. I'm also going that since I paid for half, I want the bottom half when I move out. Just kidding.

Our lease is up in March and I noticed there is the standard 10% escalation clause in this which I will refuse. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks KC and everyone else for the advice on this.

 

[Big]

It's always easier to move if someone is trying to shake you down. What's next?

 

[XTraveller]

I am going to go ahead and pay the almost $200 in the interest of keeping the peace. I'm also going that since I paid for half, I want the bottom half when I move out. Just kidding.

Our lease is up in March and I noticed there is the standard 10% escalation clause in this which I will refuse. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks KC and everyone else for the advice on this.

Without knowing you rent and what the market is in your area, I would try to negotiate with the landlord with the cost of the tank and the rent increase coming up.

 

[cavok]

If a tree falls on the roof, should you have to pay for half the damage? If you read the contract, it should say you pay for anything that YOU break.

 

[MariaRubia]

Also, the membrane tanks will last much, much longer than a conventional steel tank if they are made of fiberglass.

Yes exactly, a fibreglass with a membrane is what I got. Made in the US and it has never given a problem.

 

[MariaRubia]

If a tree falls on the roof, should you have to pay for half the damage? If you read the contract, it should say you pay for anything that YOU break.

I would strongly advise anyone to get third party liability insurance if they are renting. As well as cover for your own electrical and electronic equipment. If you live in a condo for example and someone alleges that you've done something to damage their apartment, at least you know you're covered. Those insurance policies are cheap as chips and well worth it. I covered about US$ 20,000 of electronic and electrical equipment for about US$ 300 a year.

 

[JLSawmam]

I am going to go ahead and pay the almost $200 in the interest of keeping the peace. I'm also going that since I paid for half, I want the bottom half when I move out. Just kidding.

Our lease is up in March and I noticed there is the standard 10% escalation clause in this which I will refuse. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks KC and everyone else for the advice on this.

May I suggest you tell the landlord you will pay half and will deduct that cost over whatever number of months rent you determine is fair? You mention the mom lives there too, and I would be pretty sure she is not paying rent, which means the landlord is paying that half of the repair and may be in a bind to pay it all up front. Again, it's not your responsibility but this may be a win-win solution

 

[josh2203]

So I've been with my landlady/lord now for over 4 years with 2 different rental properties. We get along fairly well.

Only due to the above I would advise as others posters have above, so just share the cost. But, a pump that is not even in your unit but in common use, should definitely not be covered by your contract as per things that are "broken": That is valid only if you misuse something and break it. My opinion is that the landlady is essentially asking for more rent here as the installed equipment will not be yours when you move out... We've only ever paid the monthly rent and had many Dominican landlords as well. Our last rental property was indeed a house with own pump, pressure tank and cistern, and even so, any repairs carried out, the landlady paid for everything, never even hinted otherwise. If I were to physically break a toilet seat or something, that I would have to pay for, obviously...

 

[josh2203]

Given that my share is only $200 USA, this may not be worth bitching about, but I'm wondering if I have a legal leg to stand on if I refuse to pay.

Just adding: Without seeing your contract, but as per the contracts I've seen, your legal leg (whether or not you want to pursue this, is another story) is that the rental agreement should state that you're not liable for normal wear and tear nor common facilities. Anything else would not make sense...

 

[MariaRubia]

When it comes down to money, very often all logic goes out of the window in negotiations between Dominicans and gringos

 

[NanSanPedro]

When it comes down to money, very often all logic goes out of the window in negotiations between Dominicans and gringos

My landlady is Haitian, but her younger bro is Dominican. Her family emigrated to the DR when she was 2. Mom is Haitian and dad was English. He died due to the vax in 2021 I think. He was 82 and I'm a bit younger than that, but still that brought us closer together. She really misses her dad a lot and his death was a big shock to everyone. He seemed really nice.