Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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:
Hwi · 02/04/2025 11:09

beetr00 · 01/04/2025 23:57

@Mrsg26 does the host not have house insurance?

She shouldn't have to go through insurance because a cheeky person doesn't want to pay for damage caused by their child.

rosemarble · 02/04/2025 11:09

Only read OP's posts.

Last night the Host offered my daughter some water but placed the glass on the kitchen table next to her laptop.

As soon as you said "BUT" I could tell you wanted to blame the host rather than your DD take responsibility.

If it were a child I'd agree - putting drinks next to electricals isn't wise, but at 17 your DD should see the drink and move it straight away.

The host is an adult, your DD is nearly an adult, but is certainly old enough to take responsibility for looking after a lap top.

I took a drink to my 16 yo yesterday. As I placed it down he said "noooooo, not there", so I put it on a different table.

MillyHilly99 · 02/04/2025 11:11

I'm flabbergasted you would expect the host to pay for the laptop YOUR daughter broke. Accidental or not, surely any reasonable human being would just offer to pay

rosemarble · 02/04/2025 11:12

The host is an adult, your DD is nearly an adult, but is certainly old enough to take responsibility for looking after a lap top.

OK - I retract that, I didn't clock that your DD wasn't using the host's laptop, but that it was just on the table.

Hwi · 02/04/2025 11:13

I can't believe how people still do not realise the dangers of de-Christianisation of our country. 40 years ago this question would not have arisen (obvs, no laptops but). Decency goes out when Christianity goes out. I recommend a wonderful story by Guy de Maupassant, 'The necklace', if you want a glimpse into the era when decency was not only found in the dictionary.

CosyLemur · 02/04/2025 11:15

Your daughter at 17 should be able to pick up a glass of water without spilling it! She was negligent either you or your daughter should definitely pay!

BexAubs20 · 02/04/2025 11:15

Do you think she placed the water there on purpose? Because the laptop was faulty/ broken anyway and she needed a new one / repair. I would offer to pay her insurance excess as a GOGW but explain as this is a business arrangement, she should have insurance for these type of accidents.

Soonenough · 02/04/2025 11:16

Your daughter picked up the glass. And spilt it . Her mistake . Not the host fault if your 17 daughter didn't grip a glass properly.

Ohthatsabitshit · 02/04/2025 11:16

You of course must pay for the damage. Ask her to forward the receipt when she’s fixed it and then send her the money.

MissSeventies · 02/04/2025 11:16

I wouldn't pay the woman a penny. You have no legal or moral obligation to pay this woman. I am sorry, but accidents happen sometimes. The host should be aware of this and as an adult should chalk it up to bad luck that happens to us all sometimes and move on.
It seems most people think that you should pay, but if we are talking morals here £200 is a big ask of a 17 year old for an accident. Had the same glass slipped on setting down the woman in question would have no option but to foot the bill herself. It is just fortunate for her that the glass slipped out of your daugther's hands and she can now ask someone else to pay.

OnlyLittleOldMe · 02/04/2025 11:16

I would ask her to provide a full quote on an official quote from the repair shop and then pay them direct. Just in case she's trying to over claim.

TinyFlamingo · 02/04/2025 11:16

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 everyone drinks by their computer to work. Please stop getting stuck and trying to shift blame, this was an accident, nobody's fault, so no: this was foreseeable because you did, x,y,z. Stop deflecting.

If you only want to pay, half, or can only afford half then say that. You don't need to be bend backwards to justify...look she's wrong too.

It's enough to say:

"I'm sorry this happened. I'm happy to contribute half, (£100), as it was a genuine accident which I feel is reasonable."

:)

tachetastic · 02/04/2025 11:17

Irrespective of the legal position, if my child damaged someone's property I would be insisting to compensate them for the cost of repair, even if they told me I didn't need to. The fact it was an accident is irrelevant. The laptop still needs to be repaired.

It's just what you do isn't it?

DollyDreamy · 02/04/2025 11:18

Hwi · 02/04/2025 11:09

She shouldn't have to go through insurance because a cheeky person doesn't want to pay for damage caused by their child.

Show quote history

She can’t go through insurance as she is illegally running a business from home. If she had carried on taking students through a legitimate agency, then her situation would be different. But she asked to cut out the agency (which also means it’s easier for her to have undeclared earnings) and is now expecting payment for something that should be covered in her agreement with the agency/agency terms with student families.

She has saved some money by cutting the agency out though - and has possibly tried to do the same with other families - so she can now use some of that profit to fix her laptop, everyone’s a winner!

fluffiphlox · 02/04/2025 11:19

Actually it’s your daughter who should pay, or at least contribute.

BexAubs20 · 02/04/2025 11:22

farmlife2 · 02/04/2025 01:57

If you have an accident, you still have to pay.

If someone accidentally prangs my car, they pay. If the neighbour's kid kicks a ball through my window, they pay. Accidents happen but you still have to take responsibility.

I'd pay 100%.

Yes but what if it was a child you were being paid to look after in your home? Which you would have to be insured for? Maybe the insurance should be both ways like car insurance is?

juicylipbalm · 02/04/2025 11:24

Hwi · 02/04/2025 11:13

I can't believe how people still do not realise the dangers of de-Christianisation of our country. 40 years ago this question would not have arisen (obvs, no laptops but). Decency goes out when Christianity goes out. I recommend a wonderful story by Guy de Maupassant, 'The necklace', if you want a glimpse into the era when decency was not only found in the dictionary.

Wrong

godmum56 · 02/04/2025 11:25

TinyFlamingo · 02/04/2025 11:16

OP everyone drinks by their computer to work. Please stop getting stuck and trying to shift blame, this was an accident, nobody's fault, so no: this was foreseeable because you did, x,y,z. Stop deflecting.

If you only want to pay, half, or can only afford half then say that. You don't need to be bend backwards to justify...look she's wrong too.

It's enough to say:

"I'm sorry this happened. I'm happy to contribute half, (£100), as it was a genuine accident which I feel is reasonable."

:)

Show quote history

as I said further up the thread, I don't, never have. I do have a drink by me but on a different table. If I was giving someone a drink I wouldn't put it down by their laptop and certainly not near my own....and yes the "next to the old laptop" sounds as fishy as hell.

godmum56 · 02/04/2025 11:26

Hwi · 02/04/2025 11:13

I can't believe how people still do not realise the dangers of de-Christianisation of our country. 40 years ago this question would not have arisen (obvs, no laptops but). Decency goes out when Christianity goes out. I recommend a wonderful story by Guy de Maupassant, 'The necklace', if you want a glimpse into the era when decency was not only found in the dictionary.

🙄

Gelatibon · 02/04/2025 11:26

Are hosts paid? If so, I agree she should insure and claim on insurance.

If aye always an ordinary guest, I think you should at least offer to pay, although I would decline the offer.

Eggsandavocado · 02/04/2025 11:28

I would definitely want some evidence that the laptop was damaged and repaired before paying out

PurplGirl · 02/04/2025 11:30

I’m genuinely shocked at all those people saying you should pay. I wouldn’t pay. And I wouldn’t expect a visitor in my home to pay for accidental damage. People spill drinks, it happens. Your daughter wasn’t being reckless (if anything, the host was a bit silly putting a drink next to her laptop). I would politely decline to pay and refer her to her home insurance. End of.

BunnyLake · 02/04/2025 11:32

Hwi · 02/04/2025 11:13

I can't believe how people still do not realise the dangers of de-Christianisation of our country. 40 years ago this question would not have arisen (obvs, no laptops but). Decency goes out when Christianity goes out. I recommend a wonderful story by Guy de Maupassant, 'The necklace', if you want a glimpse into the era when decency was not only found in the dictionary.

Do you often bring religion into things in real life?

Don’t part with a penny till you’ve seen quotes and receipts. For all you know that laptop was already jank.

Comefromaway · 02/04/2025 11:33

juicylipbalm · 02/04/2025 11:24

Wrong

Show quote history

In which case if we were not "deChristianised" the host would have been hosting OP's daughter for free because after all it would be the Christian thing to do!

Swipe left for the next trending thread