So I had a tenant install

So I had a tenant install washer hookups without my permission, okay? This is something that just happened in one of my rentals. They installed it, they didn't ask me, they didn't do anything. But then they called us out and they're like, Jackie, it's there's a leak somewhere and they can feel that the wall was soft. So here's what my lease says. I'm just trying to show y'all landlords what my lease says happens versus what I actually did. So before I go any further with the story, I need to let y'all know there was already washer and dryer connections in another room in the house in the laundry room. So I just want to let y'all know that. My lease is very, very clear. No tenants are allowed to make any alterations or improvements without my written permission. And that doesn't just protect me and you, it also protects the tenants. So here's what happened. First, unauthorized alterations. Violated the lease agreement by installing something without permission. And this is why those clauses are so important. Second, the security deposit. Now, a lot of people think, oh my god, I can just keep the deposit, but not so fast. The deposit only covers damage up to the amount of the deposit. And if the repairs cost more, then the tenant can still be responsible for those damages. So here's the part that nobody likes because there's not actually a perfect answer. But here's what I did. Keep in mind, every situation with your tenants are going to be a little bit different. Nothing is going to be the same. But I always ask myself, I say, one, did they try to hide this? Were they honest with me? Did they do this recklessly or were they being a genuine mistake? And I know we have leases in place, but I always take that into account. My goal isn't just to attack the tenants and put this huge judgment on them. But it's about understanding and then knowing when to enforce rules and then when to not to, and then when to just simply educate someone. So that's where you have to use your better judgment. And like I said, it's not about beating beating the tenants up, that's not what it's about. It's about understanding and like I said, keep the deposit, they did some damage and move on. So in this particular situation, I kept the deposit. I spoke to them. I think he just overlooked the fact that there was another one. And I think I told myself, I thought myself, this is just a genuine mistake. He had some plumbing experience. I'm not saying it's okay, but I can see it for what it is. It's not your job as a landlord to just, you know, just pound on these tenants. That's not what it's about. It's about understanding and like I said, keep the deposit, they did some damage and move on. So you just want to know, was this person being reckless or just making a genuine mistake? And having told disregard. So use your best judgment, but just know it's not always about beating beating the tenants up. That's not what it's about. It's about understanding and like I said, keep the deposit, they did some damage and move on.