Papaji refuses to budge

Tried to settle the Landlord's Statement of Account on Friday evening.

The old man was wearing his hearing aid and sat down with the assured calm of a hunter ready to spear his prey.

His smile disappeared when I mentioned my disagreement with some of expenditure. Like, the servicing of air-conditioners and costs related to electrician and plumber.

Like me, he eyes were transfixed on the two-and-half grand paid for the servicing of ACs. But you are using the ACs that have been serviced.

I reminded him that the ACs were his, as were the fridge, washing machine, cooking range and fans. As a landlord myself, I understand that the responsibility of servicing the household equipment is mine. The tenant is responsible for usage costs and for making good any damage caused by his/her misuse.

Have you read the contract? the old man demanded to know. As a matter of fact, I had and it said the same thing about the Landlord and Tenant's responsibilities.

He kept mumbling about all the money he had spent. I haven't charged you for many other expenditures I have made. When there was a water-supply problem recently, I ordered a tanker at my own cost.

Throughout the conversation, the old man's grandson and a visiting grand-daughter kept flitting into the room.

You kids stay out the room, the landlady said as she walked into the room. Then she turned to me and said - Papaji is slightly hard of hearing, so you must speak loudly.

I told her of my uneasiness with shouting out at an old man. So, she parked herself next to the old man and started playing the interpreter.

The old man, still seething at having to pick up the AC servicing costs, shouted - You asked me to get the ACs upstairs checked. Now he is saying he won't pay the costs for that.

I told the landlady the same thing about a Landlord's responsibility that had been mentioned to the old man.

Papaji is not that kind of person. He is very honest and reasonable. So much so, that some of our friends - who live in England - have given Papaji the responsibility to manage their houses here. Some estate agents said he could make crores from the Power of Attorney he has, but never did.

It did sound impressive but I was here to settle the bill. My calculation showed that the amount due was about 5,000 INR.

You know we have had a fantastic relationship with all our tenants. I don't know what you feel, but this access door along the stairway is always open. All our tenants always dropped by to see us. If you'd like to see, there are emails from all of them talking positively about their experience.

For a moment, I was tempted to read emails from "French people" and "German people" she keeps talking about. But it was too late in the evening to be indulging in such pointless things.

I reminded her that the Tenancy Agreement was a contract between them and us. I wasn't there for references, but just to settle the bill. And my calculation shows that we need to pay about 5,000 INR - but only if you pay the latest electricity and water bill.

As the old man continued to mumble but I have spent money, the lady asked me write out a cheque for the amount I thought was reasonable.

The moment I opened up the cheque book, the old man was focused again. He looked at the electricity and water bills and the cheque I was writing. Then, he asked me for his file with the statement of account.

These bills add up to about 4,000 INR and the statement of account shows a deficit of another 4,000 INR. But you are only writing a cheque for about 5,000 INR.

I explained again that the AC servicing costs and some other things had been taken out of the equation. He face twisted and he threw the cheque back at me.

This is more than what I was prepared to take. As I got up to leave, the old man turned to his daughter-in-law and said with a pained expression - "You asked me to get the ACs upstairs checked. Now he is saying he won't pay the costs for that".

The lady turned to me and said - This is how old people are, in any house. Even your own grandfather would be like this. My husband keeps asking me to come and spend time with him in Kashmir, but I need to be around for Papaji. Please don't take offence at whatever he was saying.

I couldn't remember any of my grandparents being like this, but the old man is too sweet to take offence from. The issue was one of principle and responsibilities. If he wants to keep this unresolved, I will have to leave it till another day as well.