Landlord demanding Repair costs

[robertgregory]

I live in an apartment complex in Delaware at a level one and there is one level of apartments below mine. In my apartment water overflown from my kitchen sink while I was away at work. Leasing office people claim that I left the kitchen tap open with a plate covering the drain area. The overflown water did not flood or wet the kitchen floor. It was went out through some invisible outlet under the sink area. This water got collected somewhere on to the ground and flooded the closets of three diffent apartments downstairs. The water did not fall from roof but it went inside their aparments from underneath the carpet. The leasing office is holding me responsible for the repair charges. I strongly feel that the damage happend due to some constructional error and not just because of the kitchen sink overflow. Could you please guide or suggest a solution for me.

Thanks
Robert

 

[Duranie]

Do you have renters insurance? It is possible it was a slab leak or something and if that is the case, if it flooded other units then you still might be held responsible.

 

[robertgregory]

Reply to Thread

I don't have renters insurance. I don't think it was a slab leak. I really do not know how the water reached ground and got into other apartments as it did not leak from roof. When I asked the same to leasing office, they said I can't ask such questions to them.

 

[Duranie]

Renters insurance is cheap-get it to avoid future hassles.

At this point you could just wait for your landlord to sue you in court and let a judge decide if you owe $$$ but if the water came from your unit, you somehow likely are going to be on the hook for this. Thats why its importantr to have renters insurance. You can get it for $20/mo or less.

 

[robertgregory]

Landlord demanding Repair costs Reply to Thread

If I vacate the apartment after informing them can they still come after me for the repair costs? If I can't afford the repair costs, can I offer to vacate the apt? What are my options? Is there anyway I can handle this situation.

 

[Duranie]

If you lose in court, then vacating the apt has nothing to do with it but your LL will just go after you for breaking the lease.

If you are served court papers, you need to respond. If you lsoe the suit then you need to pay back the $$ somehow, someway, unless you file for BK.