Put arm through glass in rented property

yeahyouknow

Hi all

I live in a rented property (in London) and was closing my front door from the inside; as I placed my hand on the glass panel in the door from the inside, to put the door into the latch, it went through and totally broke.

I've ended up with several lacerations and had surgery on cut tendons. I was in hospital for several days.

The glass is 1/8" double-strength glass but it's single glazed and 'antique'.

I didn't use much force and realise I shouldn't have pressed on the glass, I should have used the door frame.

So...

1) Landlord is trying to make me pay a £330 repair bill - what can I do about this?

2) Can I sue the estate agents/landlord? Should this have been safety glass/double-glazed? Many professionals in the building trade are telling me it should be and many websites are saying yes, as it's in a 'critical location'.

Thanks

Tyler_Durden_UK

Hope you don't sue me if you cut yourself on my sharp wit either.

marliepanda

I!!!8217;d point out the safety aspect and say it really should be safety glass, but I!!!8217;ll forget it if you forget the bill...

dj1471

Why do you think you shouldn't pay the repair bill? Will your insurance cover it?

Sue them for what?

Today's building regulations might require safety glass but they're not retrospectively applied.

pmduk

yeahyouknow wrote: »

Hi all

I live in a rented property (in London) and was closing my front door from the inside; as I placed my hand on the glass panel in the door from the inside, to put the door into the latch, it went through and totally broke.

I've ended up with several lacerations and had surgery on cut tendons. I was in hospital for several days.

The glass is 1/8" double-strength glass but it's single glazed and 'antique'.

I didn't use much force and realise I shouldn't have pressed on the glass, I should have used the door frame.

So...

1) Landlord is trying to make me pay a £330 repair bill - what can I do about this?

Was it you or the landlord who broke the door by misusing it? Why should anyone else be paying for your misuse?

yeahyouknow wrote: »

2) Can I sue the estate agents/landlord? Should this have been safety glass/double-glazed? Many professionals in the building trade are telling me it should be and many websites are saying yes, as it's in a 'critical location'.

You'd need expert advice on this taking the property into consideration. Even if you have a claim I'd expect it to be drastically reduced because of your misuse of the door.

GDB2222

I suspect you are on a hiding to nothing, but maybe this guide will help.
https://www.rla.org.uk/landlord/guides/safety_glazing_guide.shtml

You may be able to get your local council's environmental health involved, but that may prompt your landlord to be (even) less friendly.

yeahyouknow

Hi all

Thanks for all the comments.

If a door is 40% glass and you!!!8217;ve pushed it slightly; should it really be going through?

I!!!8217;d hardly call it mis-use.

It should be safety glass really, people knock on it etc

GDB2222

yeahyouknow wrote: »

Hi all

Thanks for all the comments.

If a door is 40% glass and you!!!8217;ve pushed it slightly; should it really be going through?

I!!!8217;d hardly call it mis-use.

It should be safety glass really, people knock on it etc

As it is being replaced, the new glass definitely needs to meet current regulations. There is no need for double glazing, but it needs to be at least 4mm toughened glass. Toughened means it shatters into small pieces, so it won't cut nearly so badly. Since this is an upgrade, you should not have to pay for any betterment.

Yes, pushing on a glass panel is misuse, and really rather dangerous, as you know!

hollydays

I think I would consult a solicitor.

usefulmale

Be prepared to move out and don't rely on a reference if you sue.