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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:
Notashamed13 · 02/04/2025 05:29

Your daughter needs to pay.

TheGamblersGone · 02/04/2025 05:29

Of course you should pay for it. What would you think if it was the other way around and the host had accidentally broken your daughter’s laptop?

Roselilly36 · 02/04/2025 05:37

Yes I agree you should pay for damage but first I would want to see a written quote for the repair, it’s not unreasonable to ask if host has insurance to cover accidental damage by guests. Is you DD still staying there?

ColinOfficeTrolley · 02/04/2025 05:48

Any adult should know not to place liquids near their electrical devices

Oh come on, so you don't ever have a drink in the office sat on your desk by your laptop 🤔, or whilst working from home?

Every adult can usually be trusted to drink a cuppa by electrical devices.

Accidents do happen, but just pay up.

WooleyMunky · 02/04/2025 05:51

Your daughter isn't a toddler, she is an adult. She is responsible for the spillage/damage/repairs.

Strictly1 · 02/04/2025 05:55

I can’t believe you’re thinking of not paying to be honest. Your daughter is almost an adult not a child. The history did nothing wrong - yes it was an accident but your daughter caused it and so the cost is yours.

Longma · 02/04/2025 05:57

I think you need to pay for the repair. You could ask for 2 or 3 quotes and only offer the amount of the cheapest repair.

The isn’t a little child we are taking about really. Your daughter is 17y, almost an adult.

The laptop repair wont be covered by insurance as the repair will likely be too small, so less than the excess.

Yes, it wasn’t intentional and obviously accidents happen. However, we still need to put right accidents.

Had the host dropped water and damaged your child’s laptop I suspect you’d have wanted it to be repaired at no extra cost to you.

TheAmusedQuail · 02/04/2025 06:02

You need to pay it. It's your daughter's responsibility. She's almost an adult.

Zanatdy · 02/04/2025 06:06

Yes you should pay, but ask to see the bill

Frostynoman · 02/04/2025 06:08

If it’s open and cut that your daughter caused damage then yes, you pay. However don’t do so until you have seen the itemised invoice.

The subtext here is that you think the host is doing a bit of a con job - I am interested to know the time between the spillage and the message to you as to the repair costs. I would talk to your daughter neutrally about this to hear what happened (don’t lead her).

ClaredeBear · 02/04/2025 06:12

If she cared that much about her laptop she really shouldn’t have placed water next to it - I’m really fussy about my stuff and I wouldn’t do that, and I would not place someone else’s drink next to it! In any case, you might want to maintain the relationship. From what you say, she seems to have turned the repair cost around pretty quickly - can you ask to see the estimate before paying (if you decide to pay).

Init4thecatz · 02/04/2025 06:14

You've already proven who you are, so a hundred other people telling you to do the right thing won't change anything.

MiniCoopers · 02/04/2025 06:15

How much water spillage are we talking? Most laptops can sustain a bit of liquid, I know mine has without it being an issue.

TuxedoJunction · 02/04/2025 06:19

Ask to see a written quote explaining what the issues are/damage caused is. Obviously check it says water damage on it.

This whole thing about it being an old laptop, and having bought a new one (which is upstairs), makes me wonder if there was something wrong with it in the first place - hence why she bought a new one.

stayathomer · 02/04/2025 06:21

Doesn’t this thread just show how angry mn has gotten?! Sarky comments about a teen spilling a drink!!! (And water mind you!!!)

Personally as the host I’d be raging but (as the host) I’d say ‘it was an accident’. (Also lets be honest, if it had happened to the teenager a parent would have said ‘well why did you have the bloody laptop on a kitchen table where people were eating or drinking 😅😅)

Nowadays people (and mn) are so quick to say ‘your fault, you pay!’ Since they asked though you do kind of have to pay, but they shouldn’t have asked. Good she told her not to worry at the time though.

Carouselfish · 02/04/2025 06:21

Honestly thought you'd have to pay for a new one. Pay the repair bill but get it agreed in text that this is the only payment.

Livingbytheocean · 02/04/2025 06:25

stayathomer · 02/04/2025 06:21

Doesn’t this thread just show how angry mn has gotten?! Sarky comments about a teen spilling a drink!!! (And water mind you!!!)

Personally as the host I’d be raging but (as the host) I’d say ‘it was an accident’. (Also lets be honest, if it had happened to the teenager a parent would have said ‘well why did you have the bloody laptop on a kitchen table where people were eating or drinking 😅😅)

Nowadays people (and mn) are so quick to say ‘your fault, you pay!’ Since they asked though you do kind of have to pay, but they shouldn’t have asked. Good she told her not to worry at the time though.

It’s otherwise known as taking responsibility.

onwardsup4 · 02/04/2025 06:27

Init4thecatz · 02/04/2025 06:14

You've already proven who you are, so a hundred other people telling you to do the right thing won't change anything.

🙄Did you wake up feeling like being nasty to someone this morning feel better now do we ?

Riaanna · 02/04/2025 06:27

Your kid broke it. You should pay.

But.

I would want the invoice.

IDontHateRainbows · 02/04/2025 06:29

I'd offer to meet half way and pay £100

moveoveralice · 02/04/2025 06:29

OP, it doesn't matter that she has a new laptop and the older one got damaged. My older macbook is still very much used in our home and if it got damaged I would want it repaired - regardless of the fact I have another newer one.

You clearly feel you shouldn't have to pay, which is understandable as it is not an insignificant amount. But as she hasn't let it go and asked for the cost of repair, you must therefore ask for the invoice/breakdown of repair costs before you send her any money. I recently had to have my dd's 2 year old ipad repaired and the issues and cost was all there in the repair report for me to then decide whether to repair or not I did but through gritted teeth

I do think if she is genuine about how much the repair costs she should present you with the report and in the spirit of fairness, ask for half.

RedHelenB · 02/04/2025 06:30

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.

Do this then.

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 02/04/2025 06:33

Nice try, but not negligent. Come on, we all place liquids next to equipment, unless you are soooo over-cautious, you move from your laptop/pc while you drink.
Yes, it was an accident, but your daughter was at fault.
Ask the host if this is covered by their home insurance. If not, you're going to have to pay. One would think it was given she has strangers in her house regularly, but...
Shitty, but yabu for assuming you can get out of paying.

Musntapplecrumble · 02/04/2025 06:33

Hmm a bit sus...def ask to see the quote. 🤔

SallyWD · 02/04/2025 06:34

I'd just pay it. I ruined a work laptop by spilling liquids on it. Totally my fault.