advice about engineer tearing my floor please

carla40

hi, i would love some advice please, i have my washing machine covered by a certain insurance company, i phoned them yesterday to report a fault, the engineer came out today, he pulled the machine out to open up the back, however when he pushed it back in, he tore the lino, its about an eight inch tear, he then got his phone out and took pictures of it, he also took pictures of some other tears that were there when we moved in 3 years ago, they are all photographed on my inventory when we moved in, so the landlord knows about them, he was moaning that the flooring wasn't all stuck down to the floor, he left me his mobile number and then left, i then rang the insurance company to report it, and they are going to give me a call about it in the next couple of days, i would really appreciate it if anyone could advise me as to what to say when they ring back, as i've no idea how to handle it as of my rights
thanks in advance :beer:

HappyMJ

If the floor had existing damage then the value of the floor covering is zero. You won't have to pay anything to your landlord in the event of further damage in any case so don't worry too much about it.

The insurance company will not cover pre existing damage so that probably won't get you anywhere. No harm in trying to claim though.

Dimey

I'd be tempted to ask the Landlord to take the call. He may want to make the decision whether the engineer's tear really makes that much difference in a piece of lino that was torn before you moved in. And if he fairly feels there is a small further loss in value then he may want to agree that sum with the insurance company.

beeg0d

he was moaning that the flooring wasn't all stuck down to the floor,

How large is the floor area? if it is over 15m2 then the lino MUST be fully stuck down under the flooring regs to provent this exact thing, so me may have a valid get out (could be argued that the damage was caused but incorrect fitting of the floor covering).

However is the area is less then 15m2 his argument about stick down is invalid.