Re: Tenant/Landlord Water Damage Responsibility??

Re: Tenant/Landlord Water Damage Responsibility?? by Anonymous on July 31, 2014 @09:29

Yes, if you want a contractor to look at the damage, you have to pay for that contractor. Look at this like a court case, you have to pay for your own case. They have to pay for their own case.

It is very easy and typical for water from an open window or an AC to get into the window well and seep down into the walls. Water always runs down. When it hits a joist in a ceiling, it'll run along and down that joist and stain/ruin the ceiling under the joist - not the floor above the joist.

Whether or not you knew ACs and open windows could cause damage, will not be accepted as an legit argument. You took responsibility by installing the AC and leaving the window open. The damage was caused by your actions.

Should the LL withhold the cost from your SD, you can take him to court and let the judge decide. Be aware that LLs often don't tell the tenant that the repairs cost more than the SD. They weigh taking a small loss against the hassle of taking the tenant to court for the balance due.

So if a judge finds against you and the LL has costs more than your SD, you could end up owing the LL. On the other hand, if the judge finds against the LL, the judge could also find the LL must pay you for any costs you incurred (e.g. if you hired a contractor and the cost of filing in court).

Please let us know the end of the story.

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Re: Tenant/Landlord Water Damage Responsibility?? - Landlord Forum thread 322099