Who is responsible?!

NationalParkingUnfair77

A tenant moved into a flat and brought their washing machine as I didn’t supply one. One can only assume they didn’t connect things properly and had washing machine on at night. It flooded the kitchen/living room and also resulted in water running down to the flat below.

someone has been in to check and confirmed issue was loose connections. Before I claim off my insurance I am wondering who is actually responsible for the damage considering I didn’t fix or supply the washing machine. Any guidance would be greatly received.

thanks

Ectophile

If the tenant was negligent, then they are.  If the leak was unforeseeable, then nobody is responsible.

twopenny

The person who connected the washing machine is responsible.

But so too is the tennant. You should not have a washing machine on unattended.

Did the tennant connect it or did they get someone to do it?

Unfortunately trying to get the money out of a brother, uncle, odd job man is going to be a long possibily impossible job.

For yourself you need to compensate the people in the flat below. None of this was their fault and for that you are responsible because it came from your property and then you need to reclaim from whoever did the damage.

I'm not sure your insurance company will play ball on this one as there is no connection between you and the event that occoured. It's not an accident. The connection was faulty and the tennant didn't try it first while they were in attendance.

Ectophile

For yourself you need to compensate the people in the flat below. None of this was their fault and for that you are responsible because it came from your property and then you need to reclaim from whoever did the damage.

Sounds like a bad idea to me.  Don't accept liability for something that wasn't your fault.  That's what insurance is for.

outtatune

twopenny said:

For yourself you need to compensate the people in the flat below. None of this was their fault and for that you are responsible because it came from your property and then you need to reclaim from whoever did the damage.

I'm not sure your insurance company will play ball on this one as there is no connection between you and the event that occoured. It's not an accident. The connection was faulty and the tennant didn't try it first while they were in attendance.

These statements are contradictory.

TELLIT01

Check your landlord insurance policy to see what is covered and what isn't.  I would expect damage caused to other property to be covered but not necessarily damage caused to your property by negligence of the tenant.

GDB2222

twopenny said:

The person who connected the washing machine is responsible.

But so too is the tennant. You should not have a washing machine on unattended.

Did the tennant connect it or did they get someone to do it?

Unfortunately trying to get the money out of a brother, uncle, odd job man is going to be a long possibily impossible job.

For yourself you need to compensate the people in the flat below. None of this was their fault and for that you are responsible because it came from your property and then you need to reclaim from whoever did the damage.

I'm not sure your insurance company will play ball on this one as there is no connection between you and the event that occoured. It's not an accident. The connection was faulty and the tennant didn't try it first while they were in attendance.

I think that just the occupant of the flat is liable.

casper_gutman

If the tenant knocked over a bucket of water and damaged the flat below, they'd be responsible. The fact that their bucket was a washing machine makes no difference to liability as far as I can see.

They should be reimbursing you for any costs you have incurred. Whether they in turn have a claim on another party who they contracted to install the washing machine is for them to worry about.