I guess all that matters is what your rental Agreement says.
It it says it will be replaced at 250 and the person signed the contract, then that is all that is relevant.
Great post, SF1900.
As a landlord myself, I grow weary over people promising to make up for this or that, giving them the leeway to do it, only for them to not do it.
The high fees for things like this is to make up for the majority of people who don't end up paying, or who cause landlords grief in other ways.
I do think beakdoctor's proposition was reasonable, but if the contract stipulated a $250 fee for this, then that's a binding contract, even if it's a bad deal for beakdoctor.
I would personally let it slide, but place strict terms on everything. I would insist it happen within two days or something, and provide a specific time frame - failing that, I'd ask for the full fee.
Are there any security reasons why it can't be done beakdoctor's way? I don't own any places with garages, and never have. So I can't speak much on this specific problem.
