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Money Moral Dilemma: Should I pay towards landlord's repair bills?

210 Posts
Here's this week's hypothetical situation for you to cogitate on:
I live in a flat with a friend, who also happens to own it. I pay rent, including all bills. If something goes wrong and we need to call a plumber or someone to carry out repairs, should I offer to pay some of the cost? Or is it their responsibility as the landlord?
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Should I pay towards landlord's repair bills?
I live in a flat with a friend, who also happens to own it. I pay rent, including all bills. If something goes wrong and we need to call a plumber or someone to carry out repairs, should I offer to pay some of the cost? Or is it their responsibility as the landlord?
Click reply to have your say
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Try to make ends meet
You're a slave to money then you die"
Fair wear and tear = part and parcel of being a landlord - the owner pays. You already contribute through your rent payments - don't pay twice.
Cost of repairs after putting a fist through a plasterboard wall - not covered - Mr Angry pays that one.
Unless you have a share of the equity, which is unlikely with an ordinary landlord-tenant relationship, then all the maintenance costs belong to the landlord. Will you still be around and get a share of the profits if they sell the property? I doubt it.
Renters have few rights as it is in the UK. If they ask for money tell them it's not your responsibility.
'Coz how can you be grumpy, when the sun shines out your bum?"
I'm finding my way back to sanity again... but I don't really know what I'm gonna do when I get there
~ Lifehouse
However, they recently lost their keys and as a result I had to change the locks and get a new security fob for the block. As far as I'm concerned, they pay for that as it's not wear and tear or general maintenance/repairs.
So, in essense, if you've caused damage through carelessness (or intentionally!) you should pay/contribute. If it's just general repairs then it's your landlords responsibility - that is what you pay rent for.