Hi all,
I have a question for you all, maybe can help me with some advise....perhaps things here are different than what common sense dictates.
Situation: family renting a flat, that includes a keller and a parking spot, they are in front of each other, basically a long parking spot with a storage section.
There are pipes running over. One good day the pipes leak and ruin some books and blankets stored there and also dirt the car.
I contact the landlord and ask for a compensation for the damaged stuff.
His answer: a letter telling that I should have insurance for that, that is not her fault that a pipe is leaking since its an old building and if I persist contacting him for this will take the matter to his lawyer.
What is your view? I am right to ask for compensation for this?
Do you have insurance? If so, pass it onto your insurance with details and they can claim from LL if appropriate.
But did you ask LL to fix the leaking pipe? Surely it is his responsibility to maintain.
I don't. But I also expect to rent a safe place
Insurance is the key. Pipes can leak in new builds too.
Our cellar was flooded last year but through natural causes. The insurance are paying.
Sure, question here is: whose insurance?
I assume the landlord one, since it's their building, their responsibility to offer a place that is safe, clean, etc.
Imagine tomorrow I stop paying and I tell him: well...you should have insurance!
Before you do anything (like tossing out damaged items), make sure you take lots of photos (different angles) of the items are they are in the area that is wet. Take photos of the damaged pipe(s).
Given the first contact with the LL, make sure you send everything in writing. Do not do anything via telephone since no trace for the future.
If he/she has said things / threats orally as you mention in your post, you can recap these in an email and say this is what you understand he/she has said. This gives the LL the chance to clarify. If he/she does not respond, you send again in a week with the expectation that he sends an expert from his insurance to detail the damage.
I don't have a landlord.
It's a different situation though. The compulsory Kantonal building insurance is paying as it's due to natural (outside) causes - rain.
You need to take out household insurance to cover your effects.