Do I ask my tenants to remove the plastic from outside my house?

Question

I rent my house. This past weekend they installed plactic with gray duct tape to the windows all around the house to save energy heat. They are excellent tenants. Do I ask them to remove the plastic and do it from inside? my house look so ugly, but i don't want to create a bad relationship with them. please advice?

Answer 1

Don't worry about it for this year.

Next spring or summer do some caulking around your windows to help eliminate the need for the plastic. You probally are not willing to replace the old windows, how about buying some storm windows they are not that expensive. Next fall buy them plastic that is installed on the inside.

Your choices are either spend some money and strengthen your relationship with your tenants or complain and weaken your relationship.

Answer 2

Personally, if this is an older house and the windows cost them to heat and cool at an expense that is not normal for the space they rent...I cannot say I blame them. If it was my house however, I would ask that the duct tape be pulled or cut off becuase it leaves a residue and parts of the tape on the window frames after removal when it sets long..the solution here is to simply have them Put 1 inch wide strips of a waxed cardboard, like you find in the produce department etc at most stores...Cut strips..paint the cardboard to close the color of the windows in mind..then staple these over the edges of the plastic..this will prevent a tape residue and repainting the window trim, and the staples can be removed real easily..without damaging the trim..You mentioned they are excelent tenants and possibly they are putting plastic up to prevent you the expense of installing new windows etc..Keep the tenants, just see if they dont mind compramising the tape with cardboard strips. The plastic should be on the outisde for the wind blows against it..if done from the inside, the air will blow in 95% more than with it on the outside..

Answer 3

Are they trying to keep heat in the house? . If this is the case they make Kits that can be installed to the inside of the windows.As the property owner I would offer to purchase these kits if they will take the plastic off the outside and install these window kits. Explain to the tenant that Some of the property owners are complaining about the looks of the house with this plastic on the outside.
As the owner you have every right to ask them to remove the plastic and duct tape.
These kits are sold at hardware stores like Ace and True Value. Good luck.

Answer 4

Well I assume that they pay for their own heating so they are concerned about the heating bill. So if that is the case I would tell them that I understand where they are coming from....But you are concerned about the appearance of the house and the possible damage to the outside of the house. Then I would suggest the window kits that is designed for that purpose and possibly split the cost of those treatments. :)

Answer 5

You may want to let them know that you are worried about complaints from the neighbors and would like to offer to have someone come in and seal the windows properly from the inside. Then send your maintainence guy over to fix it.

Answer 6

There is a properly sealed type of plastic to use. Maybe you should tell them, it's you building and it looks like hell, take the crap off and do it right or you'll have it done your way.

Answer 7

leave them alone. u dont live there,its not ur neighbors! u may rent it but they pay the bills! if ur that worried u shouldve went over n helped them do the inside with plastic wrap n hair dryer b4 it was gettin cool.

Answer 8

It's your house. If you feel they are making the house look like crap, correct it.