Water Leak in my Apartment: Is it unreasonable to expect more than a $50 giftcard from my Apt. Complex?

March 10th, 2010 Posted in portal.juzhang.com | edit

On October 2nd I came back from a four day trip out of town to discover that there had been a water leak in my apartment. Since I was out of town I did not know when the leak started. The leak had damaged my kitchen (ceiling wall and cabinets), and also got into my bedroom closet, to the point that quite a bit of my clothes were effected and you could still see the water resting on my shoe boxes and the top shelf in my closet. I called the apt maintenance personnel who brought in a humidifier.

To make a long story short: They had to replace the kitchen cabinets because the water leak had caused them to warp and rot/get a little moldy. The apartment complex offered to take clothes in the affected closet to the laundromat (which I accepted). After a discussion with my co-workers which made me a little leary, I also called in a home inspector on the 5th day after I discovered the leak to let me know if there was moisture in the wall (there still was some); and the apt. complex had to cut into the kitchen ceiling and the wall in my bedroom closet to replace the sheetrock, re-plaster, and re-paint the walls.

Total time from start to finish = 12 days.

The apt complex initially offered me a $25 rent credit, and when I told them that I did not think it was enough the offered me a $50 gift card. I had to throw away several food items that were affected, in addition to hand washing several articles of clothing fram from semi-traditional materials; move my items back into my kitchen after they installed the new cabinets, and basically move the laundered clothes back into my closet.

I felt that I should have been given some rent credit in addition to the gift card for the inconvenience.

The complex manager said that the laundered the affected clothes as a cortesy and normally would not do that.

2 Questions:
- Am I expecting too much?
-What is considered reasonable time for the apartment complex to have fixed the issue?

I should mention that this is the second (2nd) leak in my apartment within a 3 month time frame, and I live in Virginia.

Thanks for any input.

I would expect a LOT more. I would expect them to pay for any expenses you incurred i.e the cabinets. You would get that in court.

Id say you are expecting too much, They cleaned your clothes and fixed the leak. thats all they are responsible to do.

If you were staying in the apartment the entire time you do not get a rent credit. Also your lost time is unfortunately not worth anything in a court of law. If you have items that were damaged you could take them to small claims but it's really not worth it unless you have several hundred dollars worth of damaged items. There is also the question of whether you can prove liability and that the leak was directly caused by their actions or negligence. This is the sort of situation that renter's insurance is for. As you have written, I do not see that you were really materially affected, or that it was property management's fault that the incident occurred.

I agree with the first two respondents. Your complex management did FAR more than many would do in such a situation. As indicated, they were under no responsibility to handle your damp clothing. That was a courtesy on their part. It appears that they did a very quick job in repairs, given the extent of repairs needed. As well, they gave you $50 for any inconvenience you incurred.

The apartment owner has NOT OBLIGATION WHATSOEVER to even give you $1. I know it sounds horrible, but you do not own the place you are renting, and you should have carried your own renters insurance policy which would cover your personal belongings, loss of use and liability for circumstances like this.
The fact that your landlord even agreed to give you a $50 courtesy giftcard was nice of him/her.
I suggest you call a local insurance agent, and get a policy started for the future. These policies are really cheap, and definitely worth the investment.

You are way out of line. The complex as been more than accommodating. Your personal belongings should have been covered by your renters insurance...the complex was under zero obligation to have your clothes laundered or to offer you a gift card.

Reasonable time for such extensive work is at the least ....30 days. So count your blessings.

I think you are expecting a bit too much. They should fix the problem as soon as possible (and that depends on circumstances like having available parts, manpower...) and frankly since you were away some of the damage may have been preventable if you had been home to see the leak sooner. This is why you should have gotten renter's insurance. It's fairly cheap (about $150 a year) and this is exactly the situation they are for.

I dont think you are expecting to much.

People will take advantage of you...if you let them.

talk to a attorney...if you can sue.. DO IT....thats the great american way!!

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Water Leak in my Apartment: Is it unreasonable to expect more than a $50 giftcard from my Apt. Complex?

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