If there was a washer installed in my apartment the other day but was hooked up wrong and there was water damage, am I liable?
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If there was a washer installed in my apartment the other day but was hooked up wrong and there was water damage, am I liable?
Now my landlord is charging me for the damages stating that it was my fault and not the guy who installed the washer incorrectly. What do I do?
Asked on October 3, 2012 under Real Estate Law, California
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Your landlord is responsible for any damage that either they or their agents cause to a rental unit (I am assuming that the person who installed the washer was sent by your landlord and acting in their behalf). However, if you or another occupant/guest did somethng to have caused the machine to work improperly or to have the installation otherwise fail, then you would be liable for any damages so caused.
If you were in no way at fault here, then you can take your landlord to small claims court for any amounts being charged to you over thsi incident; you could also file in housing court. Right now try to contact a local tenant's rights organization or even legal aid to see if they can help give more more specific remedies in available to you in your area.
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