Renting - Smashed window

DtSje

Hoping someone might be able to give me a bit advice regarding a smashed window at the property myself and a friend are renting.

I returned home on Friday and, instead of searching for my keys, knocked on the front door to get my housemate to let me in (he was in the living room next to the front door).

Not paying too much attention and being relatively tall, I knocked on the top part of the door where one of the windows is placed. As you can guess from the topic title, the window smashed around my hand after a single knock.

I don't feel like I should have to pay for the repair, as it's ridiculous that the window on a door would fall apart so easily. The entire window is fine around the hole, which would suggest to me that it's incredibly old, low quality glass. I'd understand if I'd punched the window or thrown a stone at it, but all I did was knock.

Anyone got an opinion on whether I've got a leg to stand on?

[Deleted User]

No, you are presently legless. If you were at the time, it could explain how the window smashed.

The LL would only be responsible if the window was smashed as part of a crime, a crime number obtained etc. And even then you'd probably have problems getting the LL to do it.

Lets face it, there was plenty of glassless door to knock, you chose to knock on the glass. Unless it was safety glass this is always going to be a pretty stupid act. The responsibility for its replacement is yours.

aggypanthus

If it was the front door it should be safety glass, did it crumble or go into shards? Keep bit of it as proof, get a glazier to confirm. The LL may be held as negligent if its not safetl glass.

ampersand

Response the First:
'Not paying too much attention ' and ' instead of searching for my keys'.
- it's history now, but you elected to act as you did.

Second:
'which would suggest to me that it's incredibly old, low quality glass' -

without knowing how old the property is, I'd be far from pleased if I lost a piece of original door glass of some age at my property.
Come to Spitalfields Vintage Market of a Thursday but stay clear of my stall please.
#
In your place, I'd have had it done and dusted, with pics for record, receipt on file. You still can - and should.

DtSje

Not entirely sure the relentless sarcasm is necessary but thanks for the replies everyone, much appreciated.

I think at this point the best thing to do is get the ball rolling and sort out getting it repaired.

And don't worry ampersand, there's absolutely no chance of me visiting your stall.

thesaint

aggypanthus wrote: »

If it was the front door it should be safety glass, did it crumble or go into shards? Keep bit of it as proof, get a glazier to confirm. The LL may be held as negligent if its not safetl glass.

Under what regulation must any glass in a front door be fitted with safety glass?

McKneff

Buy a pane of glass to fit, buy a tub of putty.


Clean out where you are going to put it. Put a little putty round, sit glass in, put a V of putty in.


Job done... a few quid.

ali_hire

It's fairly likely that your tenancy agreement makes you responsible for the repair, regardless of how it happened.

G_M

ali_hire wrote: »

It's fairly likely that your tenancy agreement makes you responsible for the repair, regardless of how it happened.

though of course that is irrelevant. A tenancy agreement cannot make a tenant liable for repairs that are statutorily the responsiility of the LL. (well, they can try, but a court would ignore the TA clause).

However, in this case, the tenant is clearly liable.

Jagraf

You broke it. You should pay for it.

ali_hire

G_M wrote: »

though of course that is irrelevant. A tenancy agreement cannot make a tenant liable for repairs that are statutorily the responsiility of the LL. (well, they can try, but a court would ignore the TA clause).

However, in this case, the tenant is clearly liable.

Where in law does it state that repairing broken glazing is the Landlord's responsibility?