I need to pay the neighbours below for a leak caused by my ex-tenant
Please let me know what should ask the owner of the other flat.
For example, invoice for the new item he bought, invoice or model of the item than the leak damage (as he could buy something more expensive), pictures of the damage…
I don’t know what I need to ask him
Thank you
Do not pay. The ex tenant is responsible
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Give him the new address of the ex tenant THen leave it at that. . How long have you been a landlord ?
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I don’t have his new address.
I have been a landlord for a couple of years
Take advice from those who have been landlords for much longer . Tet the tenant below find the tenant who has left. You did not cause the damage. If you pay, then in any future disputes you will be drawn in . Keep clear
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It’s very interesting because we’re at the last stage of evicting out T and are worried that she would flood the place before she leaves. Unfortunately, when we had the same situation before, plumber said that it’s impossible to prove the it was intentional.
I also need an advice on that. My guess LL will take us (or OP) to court. What will happen then? We’ll just be ordered to pay, won’t we?
Wow, how stressful. I have been so caught up in trying to find a property and getting frustrated on here with Landlords not turning up or ignoring my interest that until I started looking on here, I didn’t appreciate how much stress and unsavoury characters Landlords have to deal with.
I have no doubt learnt a lot on here to enable me to see from both sides, and understand why on various occasions a Landlord responds with ‘No, I had previous problems with my last tenants, I am looking for………’
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See the other recent post on leaks. You may not have any liability.
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This is my understanding:
If this is in a block of flats (leasehold or share of freehold) or even a maisonette (equal share of freehold) there should be a buildings’ insurance policy in place. The process should be for the claimant to claim against the insurance policy and then the insurer decides who they want to pursue for costs. If the costs are substantial they may employee a tracing agent to find the tenant. They are unlikely to pursue the landlord if it is clear that they are not at fault. They may if there is evidence of lack of or poor maintenance of services.
If there is no insurance policy in place, then you should refuse to pay. Put it on the claimant to either pursue the previous tenant or risk court and the burden of evidence they will need to produce to show that you rather than the tenant should be held responsible.
I’m assuming here that you know for sure that you are in no way at fault.
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Hi Nilesh, thank you for your reply. The excess of escape of water is £5,000 and the damage is less than that amount. I suppose he didn’t claim the insurer because the insurance company doesn’t cover it. Please let me know if still we need to claim it. Thank you
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