Broken Pipe And Panic Attack

[theshadowoftheliving]

I don't know how it happened, but all of a sudden there was a waterfall in my kitchen coming from the wall. I called the emergency maintenance number and asked them to send someone and what I could do in the meantime. They said someone was on their way. I ended up having to call back twice and it took them an hour to arrive; then they were angry at me about the amount of water that was everywhere and kept asking me how I broke the pipe (I don't think I did anything at all that could break a pipe). I'm so panicked because I know the lease states that tenants are financially responsible for whatever happens that is their fault and they keep acting like I did this on purpose. Plus, there's strange men wandering in and out of my apartment now.

I'm just panicked. Looking for reassurance that this won't mean the end of the world.

 

[Friday]

Tenants aren't usually responsible for structural issues. Building maintenance is in nearly all cases the owner/landlord's responsibility, unless the tenant deliberately caused the damage/destruction.

How did you break the pipe?
I didn't. It's behind a wall. Hello.

Good thing for them you were home. If you'd been at work or gone for the weekend it could have been hours, or even days before they knew, if your downstairs neighbor was also away for the holiday. The entire building's integrity could have been compromised if you and your neighbor were gone for the weekend. As it is, you called them the moment it happened. And kept calling. That it took them an hour to send someone? That no one at least shut off the main, if it was going to be awhile before someone could be sent? Not your fault. In fact, you saved their asses. They only have one unit with water damage to deal with, instead of several, or the whole dang building.

Not your fault. & Not the end of the world.

Your renters insurance should cover any damage to your own property, as well as pay moving costs or hotel costs, if they have to replace the wall & floors or do any kind of major construction. Best $5 a month I ever spent! Most states require renters insurance, but if yours doesn't, then your landlord is usually held financially responsible for hotel or relocation fees when it's their structural issue.

 

[Silver.]

^^ I completely agree with all of it. Pipes are not your responsibility and good renters insurance will have you set in no time. Try not to stress about it. I hope your day picks up for you x

 

[theshadowoftheliving]

Thank you, @FridayJones. I needed to hear that. My panic is a little lower now. They are coming back tomorrow to open up the wall and see what went wrong. I'm lucky becuase none of my stuff got hurt at all but I guess the downstairs neighbor wasn't as lucky. Jus, I definitley live in one of those staters that does t require renters insurance ... But I'm definitley going to get it after this scare.

 

[EveHarrington]

Nope, not your fault.

Your only responsibility is to contact the landlord ASAP. You did that.

:hug: