Accidental water damage to rented kitchen

Hev91

I’ve been renting an apartment for a couple of years that was built from scratch by the landlord. It has been built well but not to quite the same standard that a professional might have. He has been really kind and helpful while I’ve lived there and is very proud of what he’s built. The problem is, I’ve noticed that I’ve unintentionally caused some water damage in the kitchen by the sink. I feel terrible about it. Basically because the counters are on a slight slope down and the cupboard doors protrude out under the sink gradual water from the sink has started to warp the wood of the door. Similarly the same warping has happened at the join of the counter by the sink where small amounts of water must have got into the particle board. I need to tell him but I don’t know if I should offer to pay for it all to be replaced. How expensive could this get?? Am I too blame? Would this have happened if a water sealant had been used?? 

eddddy

If the damage is a result of poor workmanship, poor design or poor quality materials (of the counters) - then you've done nothing wrong, and you shouldn't have to pay for anything.


Or if it's just general 'wear and tear' - the warping is a result of age, normal wiping of worktops, normal dampness you expect in a kitchen - then you've done nothing wrong, and you shouldn't have to pay for anything.


If the damage is the result of your 'negligence' - then perhaps you have a liability to pay something.

'Negligence' would mean that you've done something that a reasonable person wouldn't do. (Maybe for example, putting the plug in the sink, leaving the taps on, and letting the sink overflow, which has caused the damage.)

user1977

I would also regard this as normal wear and tear.

canaldumidi

Hev91 said:

........I’ve unintentionally caused some water damage in the kitchen by the sink. I feel terrible about it. Basically because the counters are on a slight slope down and the cupboard doors protrude out under the sink gradual water from the sink has started to warp the wood of the door. Similarly the same warping has happened at the join of the counter by the sink where small amounts of water must have got into the particle board.....

No one here can say how the LL will respond, but it does appear to have been caused by you however 'unintentionally'.

This is certaily not fair wear and tear though you could argue it is poor workmanship.

However you've been there a couple of years so must surely have become aware of this slope, and hence the need to wipe up any drips around the sink. If it is more than drips involved, then all the more reason to have been wiping up spills......

theoretica

You have been renting for a couple of years - how much longer do you plan to stay?  Mid tenancy I would treat it as an issue that is happening and to try to find steps to stop it getting worse, maybe discuss that with the landlord.  You don't want to pay now for it to be replaced and again if it isn't perfect when you move out!

Sandtree

eddddy said:

'Negligence' would mean that you've done something that a reasonable person wouldn't do. (Maybe for example, putting the plug in the sink, leaving the taps on, and letting the sink overflow, which has caused the damage.)

Or failing to do something that a reasonable person would do (maybe seeing something is leaking but not doing anything about either the leak or the standing water)