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Would you tell the landlady about the leak right now?

9 replies

LuckyEarthDragon · 12/10/2022 11:18

My husband and I rent a house and are due to move out in about three weeks as we just bought our first place. We’ve been here 18 months. Before we moved in we were warned about our landlady by both the previous tenant and the neighbours next door (who are a lovely couple and who we’ve since become friends with).

Apparently she comes across v normal / bit high maintenance but fine during the tenancy but as soon as you say you need to move out she goes crazy. She took precious tenant to court over deposit for reasons which seemed mad to us when we were told, and lost. It’s a nice house so we decided to risk it anyway.

Since telling landlady we need to move out she’s gone from normal to OTT as we were warned:

  • Accusing us of blocking viewings for new tenants (not true at all, we just advised what days/times worked for us when asked but welcome viewings as it might mean we can move early!)
  • Accusing us of obstructing gas checks (not true, husband stayed home from work for gas man who never turned up, then just wasn’t available to stay home from work the next day)
  • General rude, aggressive accusatory messages for no reason. Bit stressful to deal with in between general life admin (work, pregnant, house purchase and move etc!)

Now we’ve just noticed a leak in the kitchen coming from bathroom above. We didn’t notice til now (it’s in a corner / slightly hidden by cupboards) but as soon as we noticed we realised it’s really visible!

Looks like it’s the bath but grouting etc is all intact. There is a small crack in the bath which was there when we moved in but without calling someone in to check we don’t know what the fault might be.

As we’ve already given notice we’re worried she will blame us and try to withhold deposit or worse, just be abusive/rude in messages which is stressful to deal with. If we don’t tell her and move out in a few weeks she’ll see anyway.

What would you do?

OP posts:
Treesuphooray · 12/10/2022 11:22

Tell her now! And take pictures. If the leak gets worse the situation will get worse and she’s going to see it anyway. I can’t see what you win by leaving it.

peanutbutterontoast7 · 12/10/2022 11:26

You need to tell her. She may need to claim of her insurance and if it's been ongoing they won't cover it and this would come round to bite you in the bum!
Leaks happen and it's extrenly unlikely it would be deemed your fault!

LuckyEarthDragon · 12/10/2022 11:37

Thanks guys, we were thinking similar but just nervous about how she’s going to react!

OP posts:
LuckyEarthDragon · 12/10/2022 11:37

Also good point re taking pictures

OP posts:
peanutbutterontoast7 · 12/10/2022 12:38

I totally understand why you would feel that way!
I work in home insurance which is why I responded like I did previously.
I would suggest you notify her formally in writing with images attached and dates etc.
Leaks are so unbelievably common in the grand scheme of things and unless you'd left it to get worse I can't see this being any responsibility of your own!

Ihatethenewlook · 12/10/2022 12:44

You need to tell her to cover yourselves. Leaks are part of the landlords responsibility to repair, and right now your contract with her still stands. I bet in your contract it states that leaks etc need to be reported immediately so that the landlord can carry out necessary repairs before it causes potentially major damage. If you don’t report it in a timely fashion then you’ll be responsible for the damage it causes, which is fair enough really. Given her history she may very well try it on and seek compensation, but it sounds like she’ll do that whether you report it or not. But if you have reported it whilst still in the property, then legally she doesn’t have a leg to stand on.

b8tes7sw · 12/10/2022 12:57

100% tell her now. Don't wait. If you do it will add fuel to her fire

elephantseal · 12/10/2022 13:00

Definitely tell her now, and take photos, as evidence of what the leak looked like when you first spotted it.

worriedatthistime · 12/10/2022 13:03

Yes tell her a leak will only get worse and prob in your contract to report any issues as soon as aware

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