What are my options to upgrade an old bathtub that is stained and losing it's polish?

Tubs can be reglazed for a reasonable fee around $300 to $500, depending on size and color. Reglazing is certainly a cheaper option in time and materials than replacing a tub. The drawback is that reglazing does not last as long as the original tub surface, and it can easily be damaged by careless use.

The surface of a reglazed tub is not heat-fired, so it is "soft" in that dropping a shampoo bottle in the tub can dent or chip off the new surface. Scouring brushes and cleansers also can't be used on the surface, but rather "green" or a mild cleanser such as water and vinegar doesn't damage the finish. Bathmats will also damage the surface, so best to avoid using one. The reglazing company can recommend products to use if the tub is primarily used as a shower, but any product sitting on the surface (including a soap dish) should removed regularly to allow the surface to dry and breathe.

A reglazed surface should last three to five years when properly cared for. However, for a rental property, the lifespan is certainly not as long. The most common problem we see in a rental situation is the lack of cleaning. Dirt can get ingrained in the porous surface, so infrequent cleaning causes staining. Bleach shouldn't be used on reglazed tubs, so the unfortunate solution is to reglaze it again if cleaning doesn't brighten it up.

Our tub was reglazed just over three years ago, and I'm happy with the results. The only damage to the finish is from things being dropped! The tub was fiberglass and some spidering cracks were showing through on the original surface. Reglazing smoothed them out and the new surface has not cracked. We also were able to have a custom color rather than white or bisque. And, while the dark color is harder to keep looking clean, it hasn't faded even in direct sunlight.

I'd definitely recommend reglazing as a first step in lieu of replacing a tub. It's a cost-saving method of dressing up an older bathroom if you're planning to sell or refi your house. We got kudos on our refi as it turned a hideous 80's brown and tan marbled tub into something that looked like it came off a showroom.

And, yes, you can reglaze a jacuzzi tub as well as a "normal" tub!

I understand an owner can choose if they want to rent to pet owners or not, but what about an guide dog? Can a landlord not rent to a person with a handicap and/or a dog?

This is hard to answer in brief, but guide dogs and assistance animals should be accepted in rental housing as they are not considered pets. The landlord can ask for verification and explanation as to the role of the service animal to verify that it is not a pet. When looking for a rental property it's wise if the applicant is up front and explains their situation and that they have an assistance animal. The landlord should be aware that there is an animal on the premises so they can relay the information to neighbors, service personnel, and HOA representatives as necessary.

Remember that there are a variety of service animals–not just guide dogs for the blind. There are service and animals for people with mobility limitations, hearing disabilities, diabetic conditions, and so forth. And, usually they are dogs, but not always. (There are miniature horses being trained as "guide dogs" for the blind! Click here if you don't believe me!)

So my apartment complex was sold, and I and several other tenants have cats. The original owner allowed them, but the new owner has given us notice to move or get rid of the cat(s). Is this legal?

Check your lease agreement. Most leases will have a clause about pets–whether they are allowed or not allowed. The default is usually "not allowed" unless there is a pet addendum incorporated into the lease.

The lease terms transfer from old owner to new owner, so unless you signed a new lease with the new owner, whatever is in your original lease is valid. If your cat is included in the lease agreement, then the new owner may start a no-pet policy with new tenants but your cat is "grandfathered" in under the original lease terms.

If the cat is not part of the lease and you wish to stay, my recommendation would be to ask your new landlord to do a walk through of your unit and see the condition in which it is kept. If you keep house well and there is no evidence the cat lives there, you may be able to bargain for a concession. However, what one tenant is allowed is usually expected by the other tenants, so it's possible the new owner just wants to have a pet-free building.

OK, taking this a step further, if the landlord doesn't fix the non-operational bathroom and kitchen lighting we talked about last week, what is the next step?

The tenant should call and follow up with the landlord. If that yields no response, then a formal request for repair should be made in writing. Sending in a letter with the rent check or via certified mail is a way to track receipt.

Ultimately, the tenant can hold back payment of rent if they had to pay for a repair that was an emergency or requirement to make the home habitable. However, attempts to allow the landlord to correct this problem should be made. If tenant requests are made, documented, and ignored, there are two choices left:

1) Hire an electrician to make the repair — after giving the landlord ample notice of the intent, then provide receipts and proof of payment to the landlord, asking for reimbursement. If the landlord will agree to accept the repair value in lieu of rent, get a written agreement.

2) Give the landlord the required notice and move out. Often moving is the easiest solution, since the landlord is likely setting a precedence for all repair requests. If there is a term lease involved, then moving out may not be a solution as it would break the lease and incurr further legal issues.

Should the tenant elect to pay for the fix, it's possible the landlord won't reimburse the repair. Then comes the choice to eat the cost and continue on as a renter, or cut your losses and move. Withholding the repairs from rent is valid in some situations, though the landlord may still start eviction proceedings for non-payment of rent. Going this route involves time, patience, and a clear paper trail.

A question was posed about a bathroom having electrical problems (no lights) after an owner repaired a leaking dishwasher. Power was lost in part of the kitchen and bath when the dishwasher repair was made. The owner didn't know what the problem was and hadn't been able to fix the electrical problem–for a time.

Often renters get fed up with recurring issues or annoyance things. They want to know if they can just withhold rent and force the landlord to fix things.

Technically the landlord has to provide the basic living standards, which include electricity, heat, sewer, and cooking ability. Tenants can withhold rent if the house is not habitable.

The definition of uninhabitable is not a few non-working lights. Likely conditions for uninhabitability are emergency situations where there's been a fire, roof damage or water damage affecting the house so portions can't be occupied, septic system failure, heating system failure (in the winter), etc. A tenant can't withhold rent just because the landlord didn't fix a problem right away. We've had two heating units fail days before Christmas this year, and due to holiday business hours, it was impossible to immediately install a new heater, but arrangements were made to diagnose and order the repair as soon as possible.

The key is in the responsiveness of the landlord. In this situation, no lights are an inconvenience that becomes a hazard. Showering in the dark could lead to slipping and falling. Not having full cooking ability in the kitchen or intermittent electrical becomes a hazard. It's a poor decision if the landlord puts off the repair, but intitially not a cause for withholding rent.