Should I pay for chimney to be cleaned?

I know this may have an obvious answer, but our tennant txt'd me last nite to say that the chimney needs to be cleaned and is there any chance we (I joint own the house) would pay for half of it.

The thing about it is, he never pays his rent on time, he is getting rent allowance and we have to chase him for the rest of it every week.

I have told him before until he starts to pay rent on time he is not entitled to anything.

An example from before is : He was looking for a washing machine to be bought for him, the previous owner had not supplied one, he was behind on his rent and I told him when he gets it up to date and pays it on time we would look into getting one for him. We got a second hand one for him. He then contacted the co-owner to tell him it was broke and had to get someone in to repair it without telling us, the co-owner stupidly agreed to pay half without seeing a receipt.

Any thoughts?

You are lucky that the tenant offered to pay half as this is a maintenence issue. Otherwise you could ignore it and wait for the chimney to catch fire and burn down the house.

Or did he request/get the other half from the other co-owner? Or indeed the full amount?

Sort out the communication between you and the co-owner.

rmelly said:

Or did he request/get the other half from the other co-owner? Or indeed the full amount?

Sort out the communication between you and the co-owner.

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I was on holidays at the time, regarding washing machine

Say you don't want to do it. Then explain to the insurer why the loss assessor reported that the fire was caused by carbon build up in the chimney.

why not boot out the tennant, get one who pays rent on time and in full, and maintain the place properly.

Your lucky the tenant offered to pay half of it, it sounds like they are keeping the place in good nick for you,.
Try sitting down and explaining that the rent needs to be on time and give them a letter stating that late rent is not acceptable.

I had to evict tenant for non payment of rent but tried the above first, i was tryin to be as fair as possible, sayin that she robbed all the plates, pots, cutlery etc from the kitchen and left the place in a right mess. Your tenants don't sound the worst to be honest

thanks for replies, if he would pay then rent in time i would have no problem, i know i will have to do it anyway..but just looking for advise....the place was not in very good nick when we bought the house, (he was renting before we took over, and kept him on) but he does look after it.

Yes,clean the chimney,if the property is outside Dublin,Fire Brigade charge a significant amt to attend a chimney fire,as for him not paying promptly,sit him down,tell him there is now only one contact person,and those days of late payments are now history,firm but pleasant,hand him a letter outlining both his obligation and the outcome if he does not fullfill it.