- Jurisdiction
- California
A new electric water heater was installed (converted from gas to electric) by property manager (hired licensed plumber and electrician) without a permit, written estimate and owner authorization. Tenant moved out a few weeks later. At that time, owner asked for a permit for the water heater. Manager said there wasn't one. But, he will have plumber and electrician pull required city permits.
Manager took 2 months (despite owner emailing multiple times to get the permits asap, lack of communication) to have plumber and electrician pull required city permits, then city inspection passed. Owner did not pull permit themselves in order to have plumber and electrician be liable for any permit work. Owner did not want to place a tenant because of liability, safety, insurance would not cover damage caused by unpermitted water heater or electrical work, etc.
Property manager (RE sales agent) has no broker license (illegal) and gave no management agreement. Manager paid for work and is asking to be reimbursed $2500 (work was overpriced by $500 per estimates). Can owner legally charge manager (deduct from reimbursement) for two months in lost rent?
Manager took 2 months (despite owner emailing multiple times to get the permits asap, lack of communication) to have plumber and electrician pull required city permits, then city inspection passed. Owner did not pull permit themselves in order to have plumber and electrician be liable for any permit work. Owner did not want to place a tenant because of liability, safety, insurance would not cover damage caused by unpermitted water heater or electrical work, etc.
Property manager (RE sales agent) has no broker license (illegal) and gave no management agreement. Manager paid for work and is asking to be reimbursed $2500 (work was overpriced by $500 per estimates). Can owner legally charge manager (deduct from reimbursement) for two months in lost rent?
