Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

17 year old spilled water on Host family Laptop

500 replies

Mrsg26 · 01/04/2025 23:46

Wonder if someone can offer advice on what to do in this situation. My daughter is 17 and is auditioning for drama schools at present. As she is under 18 and visiting schools in London ( we live in Scotland) She has had to stay with a host family on her visits. Last night the Host offered my daughter some water but placed the glass on the kitchen table next to her laptop. My daughter picked up the glass but it slipped and some water went on the host’s laptop. The lady told my daughter last night not to worry and she dried it, she said she had a new laptop which was there in the kitchen however today The lady called me whilst my daughter was in her audition and told me it will cost £200 to repair the laptop and the expectation is for me to pay for it to be repaired.

Whilst i totally am sympathetic and sorry for what happened, as is my daughter, she didn't do it intentionally or with any malice and it was a complete accident. Part of me thinks why would she place a glass of water next to expensive equipment, as spillages often happen in kitchens. As an experienced host with lots of children in her home regularly she should be aware of these hazards. This is her business and therefore she should insure against these things.

Whilst I am not against contributing towards the repairs, I just feel that I shouldn’t have to pay for it all as they were both negligent. Any advice from other parents of teens? Thanks

OP posts:
DevilledEgg · 01/04/2025 23:48

Your kid broke it. She should foot the repair bill

AnonSW20 · 01/04/2025 23:49

how much longer is your child with this host family?

CombatBarbie · 01/04/2025 23:51

Hmmm if your DD had dropped the hosts phone and cracked the screen would you be asking the same question?

Accidents happen but the laptop needs repaired because of it.

1SillySossij · 01/04/2025 23:54

I am not sure how the host was negligent? You daughter is virtually an adult not a 2 year old

RatedDoingMagic · 01/04/2025 23:55

Depends how much goodwill you need to retain. If your daughter is successful in her auditions will you be relying on the same network of host families, and could a bad opinion from this one poison the next 2-5 years?

Morally, no it's not your responsibility to pay. Your daughter didn't choose to place the laptop on the table or to place the water next to the laptop. The host grownups were "in loco parentis" so any responsibility accruing to the parents belongs with them as they were the responsible adults at the time. Host families are supposed to treat resident guests as a member of the family, and if their own teenagers had done this they wouldn't be raiding that child's savings for the full cost of repair.

However, it might be that holding on to this position costs you more in the long run so consider what consequence could be inflicted before you decide

beetr00 · 01/04/2025 23:57

@Mrsg26 does the host not have house insurance?

sillysmiles · 01/04/2025 23:58

Yes, you should repair the laptop.

Dollypollymolly · 01/04/2025 23:59

You’re responsible for the cost - doesn’t matter if the water was placed next to her laptop. Your child damaged the laptop

Original poster
Mrsg26 · 01/04/2025 23:59

AnonSW20 · 01/04/2025 23:49

how much longer is your child with this host family?

She isn't with her any more. She left this morning & wont be returning.

The first time my daughter stayed here it was arranged through a 3rd party agency, the host said we can cut out the agency so the last 2 times she has stayed she has just arranged directly with the lady and transferred her the money for the stay. However There has been no contract signed to say damages need to be paid for by child or parent. Whilst morally I feel we need to contribute i don’t think
she should pursue us for the full repair bill. Just wanted other opinions before I respond to her.

OP posts:
AlwaysTheRenegade · 02/04/2025 00:00

It's shit but I think you should pay. Host shouldn't have to pay, or go through insurance. Accidents happen. Can your daughter pay?

NorthernSpirit · 02/04/2025 00:03

I can’t believe you are trying to wriggle out of paying.

Your daughter damaged something. You should pay. Don’t they to get out of it & make excuses.

If you were the host & the child damaged your belongings - would you expect the family of the child to pay? I bet you would. Treat people like you would like yo be treated yourself.

CarpetKnees · 02/04/2025 00:05

I wouldn't be paying.
Accidents happen sometimes.
Your dc wasn't messing about or doing anything irresponsible.
It's frustrating for the host, but part of her business is hosting people in her house. If there is anything that she can't afford to have damaged, she should put it away.

BoredZelda · 02/04/2025 00:05

Any adult should know not to place liquids near their electrical devices. If the child had got the water and put it near the laptop then knocked it over, the woman would have a point. Teenagers are clumsy. If mine has liquids anywhere near electrical gadgets or the edge of a table, I move it because I know accidents can happen. She’s not a toddler but neither is she a fully functional adult. The host can claim off her insurance.

beetr00 · 02/04/2025 00:08

fyi,

As far as what happens next, whilst a party can make demands
for payment, instruct debt collectors or threaten legal action, it is important
to note that they can only really force someone to pay if they actually go to
court, submit a claim and are successful with it.

Original poster
Mrsg26 · 02/04/2025 00:08

1SillySossij · 01/04/2025 23:54

I am not sure how the host was negligent? You daughter is virtually an adult not a 2 year old

She placed a glass of water next to her computer on a kitchen table. Spillages happen regularly in kitchens and its easy cleaned up. But if expensive equipment is there then that should have been considered. If the host had spilled water on my daughter’s ipad, I wouldnt expect her to pay as my daughter would know not to have expensive equipment where food and drink are consumed. That is where I feel the Host also has to take some responsibility

OP posts:
Whooowhooohoo · 02/04/2025 00:09

beetr00 · 01/04/2025 23:57

@Mrsg26 does the host not have house insurance?

Most likely this £200 is less than the deductible..
Insurance usually isn’t 100% for accidental damage

Whooowhooohoo · 02/04/2025 00:10

You need to pay

Seacatt · 02/04/2025 00:11

I would pay.

Original poster
Mrsg26 · 02/04/2025 00:12

AlwaysTheRenegade · 02/04/2025 00:00

It's shit but I think you should pay. Host shouldn't have to pay, or go through insurance. Accidents happen. Can your daughter pay?

She is running a business from her home of which I am sure she also has to be suitably insured against. I run a business from my home too and I have accidental damage cover to cover such events

OP posts:
Original poster
Mrsg26 · 02/04/2025 00:16

just to add, i am happy to pay half, but just dont feel i should pay all of the repair costs. As the host placed the glass of water next to her own computer, which i would not have done knowing the risks.

OP posts:
AngelicKaty · 02/04/2025 00:28

@Mrsg26 Of course it was an accident and there was no malicious intent by your DD, but that's really not the point. The host did nothing wrong and you need to make them whole by paying for the repair in full. Do the decent thing and don't drag it out - just pay up and chalk it up to experience. These things happen.

RickiRaccoon · 02/04/2025 00:35

Usually I'd say if you break something, you should pay for it. However, it was the host who put the glass of water next to a laptop sitting open in a kitchen. It sounds like your daughter didn't even drop the glass but it slipped out of her hand so it might have been wet on the outside(?).

I'd pay half as a goodwill gesture but the host completely set up the scenario so it's much more her fault than your daughter's.

1SillySossij · 02/04/2025 00:47

Come on virtually everyone has a coffee, glass of water or beverage of their choice whilst on their computer.

BeaAndBen · 02/04/2025 00:49

I think you have to pay for the repair.

Whooowhooohoo · 02/04/2025 00:51

And we are only hearing daughters version of events….

Does the host family have a connection to the school? , Don’t want your non-paying to impact daughters audition / admission.