Bathroom Sealant - Responsibility?

Kevie192

Hi all,

Last night, I replaced the sealant around the standalone shower cubicle in the house I rent as it was getting discoloured and starting to peel away in places.

Although I believe I did a good job and can't see any missed places, I'm a worrier and I'm now wondering what would happen if the shower were now to leak and cause damage? Would I be liable for the damage having replaced the sealant? I replaced it precisely to prevent any damage as the peeling sealant looked as if water could escape.

Interested in your thoughts,

Kevin

DaftyDuck

I'm a landlord and, in my early days in the 90's, suffered heavily as a result of someone replacing the damaged silicone mastic with cheap general-purpose filler which, unsurprisingly, leaked like a sieve... I hadn't noticed when they'd left!

It's one of the main reasons that I encourage any tenant to report any problem a.s.a.p., why I rarely (actually, I don't think I have ever) charge for damage, let alone wear & tear, and why I have a reputation for fixing, not grousing.

If you have replaced what was there (even if that wasn't working), I'd reckon it's now your responsibility to ensure it has (and is) working! If I'd done it (and I would/would have got a bloke in within a couple of days at most), all my responsibility.

.... mind you, I am a softie...

Why didn't you get your LL to sort it out?

Hoploz

I agree. As a landlord I'd prefer to either do it myself or get an expert. I wouldn't be happy for the tenant to do it. Having said that, my tenants usually seem to need somebody in to do anything more complicated than changing a lightbulb, so I doubt I'm going to have this problem!
Seriously though, it could be a headache if it does leak into a downstairs flat and the LL doesn't know you've done it.

System

Get your LL to come and have a look what you've done?

Get them to check there okay with the work or if they wants to get somebody in to replace what you've done or give it the green light.

Then get it in writing :rotfl:

Kevie192

As I said in my OP, I live in a house. I.E. Not a flat...

Perhaps I will email the LL and let him know that along with the 5 jobs I asked him to do in January that have not been done, the sealant also needs replacing. I will tell him I've done a temporary fix but that I'm no professional and he may want to get one in to check it.

Thanks,

Kevin

G_M

You did the job. If the job is badly done, you will be liable for any damage caused.

It's as simple as that.

You have a duty to act in a 'tenant-like manner'. That means if you see a problem or potential problem, like damaged or peelng sealant, you should report it in writing to the landlord at the address provided.

It them becomes the landlord's responsibility to fix it, or to leave it. If he leaves it, any further damage caused is the LL's liability.

However, if the tenant does NOT report the problem, despite knowing about it, then by failing to act in a tenant-like manner, he, the tenant, becomes liable for any further damage.

G_M

Kevie192 wrote: »

Perhaps I will email the LL and let him know that along with the 5 jobs I asked him to do in January that have not been done, the sealant also needs replacing. I will tell him I've done a temporary fix but that I'm no professional and he may want to get one in to check it.

Good idea.

Does the tenancy agreement specify email? Or a postal address? Use whichever the tenancy agreement specifies.

Keep a copy.

Hoploz

Kevie192 wrote: »

As I said in my OP, I live in a house. I.E. Not a flat...

Perhaps I will email the LL and let him know that along with the 5 jobs I asked him to do in January that have not been done, the sealant also needs replacing. I will tell him I've done a temporary fix but that I'm no professional and he may want to get one in to check it.

Thanks,

Kevin

I think that's exactly the right thing to do