compensation for inconvenience and distress

Mildreds_Earrings

I realise you are trying to resolve matters by offering compensation but you are simply muddying the waters and that's what insurance is for - to deal with unexpected situations and losses. Tell all parties to claim from your landlord's insurance and try to communicate with them in writing only.

Regarding the tenant's mother, unless she was the one who signed the Tenancy Agreement, I wouldn't speak to her. I would only speak to my tenant. Yes, try to resolve matters by all means but I fear you are doing too much and the other parties are now expecting too much. Accidents happen - that's why there is insurance. All the best. 

Mildreds_Earrings

If you have legal cover as part of your car, house or landlord's insurance, then phone the legal helpline and speak to them. They will provide you with advice on where you stand legally. Personally, I wouldn't offer anything. Follow the insurance process. All the best. 

jimbog

Liver7 said:

There was a water leak to flat caused from two flats above - my flat in November and adjacent flat in Sept. We have agreed to pay for water damage. 

Why? Do you not have insurance?

TripleH

If they do try to take you to court ask for a list of all items they claim were damaged as submitted to their insurer at the time of the first incident.

If they haven't done that / or have only for the second, your argument is that you offer a goodwill gesture as stated towards their excess (because you are a nice person and suspect the audit trail exists) but you need them to demonstrate what damage occurred because of your flat's issues as opposed to the second incident (your insurer will argue redufed liability on grounds that damage happened in second incident).

It sounds harsh but it's a fact of life that with insurance its better you get your paperwork and supporting photo evidence done ASAP and sadly not wait several weeks for parents to sort it.

elsien

I can’t see why you’re offering anything when the issue was caused by the tenant. Should they not be sorting this out? 

Jumblebumble

Liver7 said:

There was a water leak to flat caused from two flats above - my flat in November and adjacent flat in Sept. We have agreed to pay for water damage.  Owner of damaged flat wants contents damage compensation initially £50 each but then says he is righting off any damage caused by adjacent flat.
Owner of damaged flat wants compensation from me for inconvenience and distress - but not from adjacent flat.  I have offered £100 as a goodwill offer which he has declined.  Says for me to instruct a solicitor or he will go to court.  
He has remained in his flat - all utilities functional.  Do I need to get a solicitor or wait to go to court as he will then have to give evidence from doctors for distress and show how he has been inconvenience.  Contractor says he can remain in his flat whilst painting is under way.

What sort of idiot tells you to instruct a solicitor?
He will go and see a solicitor who I suspect will say "Sure I will take this on
Just pay me £1000 up front and we are good to go"

newsgroupmonkey_

jimbog said:

Liver7 said:

There was a water leak to flat caused from two flats above - my flat in November and adjacent flat in Sept. We have agreed to pay for water damage. 

Why? Do you not have insurance?

Did you not read the whole thread?

penners324

I'm surprised your not chasing your tenant to pay costs, they knew the washing machine was faulty, yet used it anyway 

lisyloo

penners324 said:

I'm surprised your not chasing your tenant to pay costs, they knew the washing machine was faulty, yet used it anyway 

Is it up to the landlord to chase the tenant?
or it is up to the 3rd party to chase the negligent tenant.

i would make sure I had access to legal assistance.
mine was £15, landlord policy might be a bit more.