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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:
StartAnew · 02/04/2025 07:32

juicylipbalm · 02/04/2025 07:29

I’d always pay if it was me who damaged someone else’s property. And the idea that it’s the hosts fault because it’s apparently not normal to have a glass of water next to a laptop? Come on.

It’s one of the things they teach on work heath and safety. No liquid near computers etc.

juicylipbalm · 02/04/2025 07:34

StartAnew · 02/04/2025 07:32

It’s one of the things they teach on work heath and safety. No liquid near computers etc.

Show quote history

It’s also highly unrealistic. People work on laptops all day and no employer would dream of telling them they can’t have a glass of water / coffee while working.

tamade · 02/04/2025 07:34

@Mrsg26
Your daughter should pay, or you should on her behalf. But you need to protect yourself from cheeky fuckery:
Offer to pay up to 200GBP on sight of a receipt for repairs or replacement.

SparklyGlitterballs · 02/04/2025 07:35

It all seems to have happened very quickly. How much water exactly was spilled on the laptop? If it was plain water (not soda) and only a few drips then damage should be minimal. If it was a big splash then your DD has been rather clumsy.

The host has allowed barely any time for the laptop to dry out before having it assessed for damage. Drying should be allowed to occur naturally (ie over 24-48hrs) as hairdryers/radiators/sunlight drying could cause further damage. I too would offer only half of the payment. I'd also request to see the diagnostic report/quote for repairs, to make sure the figure is genuine.

KaToby · 02/04/2025 07:35

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.

This.

My 5 and 7 year olds have milk or water with breakfast, usually whilst watching their iPad, at 17 it’s normal to have a drink whilst you’re working. She dropped it, there is absolutely no blame on the host here.

Neveranynamesleft · 02/04/2025 07:35

I would definitely want proof that the laptop is broken / needs repair. Did your daughter see this ? Ask for a repair quote / invoice before paying.

Holiday24 · 02/04/2025 07:35

Yes, I would pay. £200 doesn't sound excessive.

RatandToad · 02/04/2025 07:37

Mrsg26 · 02/04/2025 01:13

My daughter wasn't using the hosts laptop. The host had left her laptop opened on the kitchen table and put a glass of water down beside it, When my daughter reached for the water it slipped. The host could easily have put the glass of water at the opposite end of the table away from her device and this would not have happened.

What is strange is the host already purchased a new laptop prior to my daughter’s arrival and it was the old one sitting on the kitchen table which the water was spilled over which she now wants the costs to repair

Show quote history

Isn't this what insurance is for?

I can't see how she could have planned for your daughter, or anyone else, to spill water on it.

TY78910 · 02/04/2025 07:37

You will need to pay for the damage. I would however say - ask for a quote for the repair first. Don’t just hand £200 over, it might be less or it might be more but at least you know you’re paying for the repair.

StartAnew · 02/04/2025 07:38

juicylipbalm · 02/04/2025 07:34

It’s also highly unrealistic. People work on laptops all day and no employer would dream of telling them they can’t have a glass of water / coffee while working.

Show quote history

They can have drinks but away from equipment. It’s a risk and this woman took the risk, not the girl.

Notellinganyone · 02/04/2025 07:38

I absolutely wouldn’t pay and see neither a legal nor moral obligation. She should have insurance, particularly if she is hosting. Just don’t contact her.

Dorisbonson · 02/04/2025 07:39

If your daughter had been at an Airbnb and had spilled something and broken a tv that would come out of the Airbnb deposit eg you would pay. Not sure how this is any different?

It just sounds like you don't want to pay. If your daughter hadn't been there it wouldn't be broken.

You may want to believe your version of events (that like a wicked monster in a fairy tale a malicious host placed a glass of water dangerously close to an old laptop in a deliberate and carefully planned ploy to trick your daughter into ruining the laptop) but it's more likely your daughter was clumsy and knocked a glass over and now the host has the hassle and stress of getting it repaired.

Bogginsthe3rd · 02/04/2025 07:40

StartAnew · 02/04/2025 07:31

I agree with you. Putting a laptop near water is daft. Also I’m suspicious. A slosh is water immediately cleared up is most unlikely to cause expensive damage. Ask to see the quote for repairr.

Show quote history

You are suspicious of water not mixing well with electronic equipment? What else are you suspicious of?

SwanOfThoseThings · 02/04/2025 07:40

Is this 'host family' system an official arrangement? Are they being paid for hosting?

If so, you'd expect the host family to have insurance in place to cover this kind of thing - and I don't think you should pay.

If it's an unofficial thing they are doing from the goodness of their hearts, and your DD was enjoying free accommodation entirely at their cost, then I think you should pay at least something, although not necessarily the cost of a brand new laptop - you are not an insurer, you do not have to offer 'new for old'. I would suggest finding out the model of laptop, looking online to see what a secondhand one would cost, and offering that sum.

theressomanytinafeysicouldbe · 02/04/2025 07:41

If she is a professional host, she will have insurance. She went through an agency and then said you need not go through the agency - is she still charging you the same amount? Which would say to me she is not declaring it.

£200 seems a bit steep for a small water spillage.

Why would she have the new laptop.

It was an accident, i'd offer to have it repaired for her but you would want your own quote or at least a quote for the repair she is intending to have done.

StartAnew · 02/04/2025 07:42

Bogginsthe3rd · 02/04/2025 07:40

You are suspicious of water not mixing well with electronic equipment? What else are you suspicious of?

Show quote history

No need to be sarcastic! I’m suspicious that a repair may not be needed if the water was immediately mopped up as surely it would have been in this situation.

LBFseBrom · 02/04/2025 07:42

I have spilled water on a laptop before now, someone I know spilled coke on their desktop. We were all advised to just stand it on one end for a while to drain. We did and it worked.

HoppingPavlova · 02/04/2025 07:42

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

What risk are you talking about g about? Do you think adults never drink while working on their laptop because it presents a risk? It’s absolutely the case for younger children, it’s on you if you give them a drink near a laptop, but it’s generally accepted that anyone 18yo, or indeed older, can safely manage a drink around a laptop. If you can’t then it’s a personal problem, not a general risk problem.

Mintyt · 02/04/2025 07:44

I wouldn’t pay, and I don’t believe water damage can be repaired either. If you do /did want to contribute I would want to see a repair receipt, going through a third party is protection for you both.

HoppingPavlova · 02/04/2025 07:48

It’s one of the things they teach on work heath and safety. No liquid near computers etc

How many workplaces tell people they can’t have a drink while working on laptop/equipment? I’ve never come across it.

TunnocksOrDeath · 02/04/2025 07:54

If your child had damaged something in your home, you’d be paying the £200. It’s not fair to expect the host to be out of pocket because your child damaged something in their home.
It is totally normal to have a drink and a laptop on the same table. You just take care with the drink. Unless the laptop was right in front of your daughter, facing her (which would have been odd) it must have been some spill to get sideways into the keyboard and damage the thing.

Mumofoneandone · 02/04/2025 07:55

Think it's a try on - she already has a new one and your daughter wasn't using the device. The host could easily have moved it out of the way when she gave your daughter the water.
I think you should insist on seeing a repair bill, not just pay over a chunk of money......
Also interesting that she's cutting out the original agency for later stays from your daughter. Wonder if this is legal?

Starlight7080 · 02/04/2025 07:55

How did they get the 200 quote so quickly.
Like others have said i would ask to see the repair bill before paying.
Maybe if is 200 say you are happy to pay half . But not all.
Did she not have insurance?

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 02/04/2025 07:58

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.

Exactly. And most adults manage not to spill anything on them.

simpledeer · 02/04/2025 07:58

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.

Don’t be ridiculous. Pay up.

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