w94005m 92 Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 I've been a landlord in UK and US for close to 15 years, but decided to rent here as it seemed to make the most sense, but a recent experience has me questioning that. One night while I slept, the toilet hose failed and a split developed. It was a cheap, old hose and the landlord should have replaced it some time ago. I always make it a point as a tenant to never change anything related to water or electric supply, as I don't want any liability issues. However, in this case, despite the hose being an old, cheap substandard plastic hose with no interior or exterior protection, the landlord had me compensate the condo below from the water that seeped below. Thankfully, it was not a large sum. Despite telling the landlord that I thought that was 100% wrong, he kept with charging me. I know if that happened in the UK or USA, as a landlord, I would be 100% liable for any damage caused and obviously I have insurance to cover such circumstances. I also make darn sure that everything is up to code and as reliable as possible. I am also responsible for replacing any equipment that fails, such as ovens, microwaves or air conditioning units. I'm now worried that Thailand operates differently and I could be liable for failings of my landlord to have such fittings not up to code or indeed anything that stops working through normal use. If that is the case, I clearly need to reconsider if renting is the best policy for me. Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post BritManToo 44,453 Posted October 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 30, 2020 5 minutes ago, w94005m said: I'm now worried that Thailand operates differently and I could be liable for failings of my landlord to have such fittings not up to code or indeed anything that stops working through normal use. If that is the case, I clearly need to reconsider if renting is the best policy for me. Rent on the ground floor if it worries you so much. 3 3 Link to post Share on other sites
ukrules 20,839 Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 12 minutes ago, w94005m said: I'm now worried that Thailand operates differently and I could be liable for failings of my landlord to have such fittings not up to code or indeed anything that stops working through normal use. If that is the case, I clearly need to reconsider if renting is the best policy for me. Move out and move often, only rent new places each time you move. 2 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Peterw42 13,491 Posted October 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 30, 2020 What does your lease say ? It can be that the tenant is responsible for repairs in Thailand and there would be a clause in the lease that says as much. 4 Link to post Share on other sites
w94005m 92 Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 5 minutes ago, Peterw42 said: What does your lease say ? It can be that the tenant is responsible for repairs in Thailand and there would be a clause in the lease that says as much. Nothing stated Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post ezzra 43,635 Posted October 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 30, 2020 As a long time landlord, the owner of the unit should have shouldered the expenses of repairing busted water hose/pipe as i did couple of times in my rented out units, only if a damage done out of carelessness, intentionally or out of misuse the fixers in the apartment only than the tenants is responsible... 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post worgeordie 44,532 Posted October 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 30, 2020 Lots of Thai landlords are very reluctant to fix or repair anything, the tenant only needs to keep the place clean and tidy, all repairs for anything that was there when you moved in are the responsibility of the landlord, unless you broke it yourself. But it's another thing trying to get some landlords to fix anything, wear and tear on property is an anomaly to them,and will blame the tenant and will be held responsible every time, they have never heard of the saying, "The customer is always right " (even if they are not ) better not to lose a customer or your going to lose money. regards worgeordie 3 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Surelynot 7,706 Posted October 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 30, 2020 (edited) This is an out and out con.....no way are you responsible.....he would have done well to get a penny out of me. He would have show you were negligent or there was a dereliction of duty. Edited October 30, 2020 by Surelynot 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post w94005m 92 Posted October 30, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 30, 2020 1 hour ago, worgeordie said: Lots of Thai landlords are very reluctant to fix or repair anything, the tenant only needs to keep the place clean and tidy, all repairs for anything that was there when you moved in are the responsibility of the landlord, unless you broke it yourself. But it's another thing trying to get some landlords to fix anything, wear and tear on property is an anomaly to them,and will blame the tenant and will be held responsible every time, they have never heard of the saying, "The customer is always right " (even if they are not ) better not to lose a customer or your going to lose money. regards worgeordie Thanks and disappointingly, this is a farang landlord, which was what shocked me even more. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post worgeordie 44,532 Posted October 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 30, 2020 21 minutes ago, w94005m said: Thanks and disappointingly, this is a farang landlord, which was what shocked me even more. I am a landlord here too,but i look after my tenants,most stay a very long time, you have to look after them,as finding good /any tenants is not easy,the way things are at the moment, an empty Condo or House is not earning anything,just costing money. regards worgeordie 7 Link to post Share on other sites
alacrity 198 Posted October 30, 2020 Share Posted October 30, 2020 46 minutes ago, w94005m said: Thanks and disappointingly, this is a farang landlord, which was what shocked me even more. Why more shocked? There's 'good' and not 'so good' landlords and tenants throughout the world. Your landlord seems to belong in the second category. Although I doubt the sudden mass failure scenario, I'm sure a suitable compromise should have been possible. If your statements are correct; dump the landlord, rental properties are hardly a scarcity these days. If not dump them anyway, as it's unlikely they would have your best interests at heart after your malignment. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Grumpy one 2,783 Posted October 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 30, 2020 Looks like replacing the hose yourself may have been the smarter option 6 Link to post Share on other sites
w94005m 92 Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 35 minutes ago, Grumpy one said: Looks like replacing the hose yourself may have been the smarter option In hindsight, but despite doing a lot of fully inspected plumbing and electrical work in the US, I didn't want to be in any way liable should something happen on utility supply. I'd already installed a trap on the kitchen sink as unsurprisingly, I did not want sewer gas in the apartment, but there's no question of any problem with that. Never guessed that he would make me liable anyway. Of course I've done that now with a suitable stainless steel coated and interior braided hose. Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post Yellowtail 1,111 Posted October 30, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 30, 2020 (edited) Unless you are getting a really great deal on a great place I would move. "Cheat me once, shame on you, cheat me twice, shame on me." Edited October 30, 2020 by Yellowtail added quote 3 Link to post Share on other sites
w94005m 92 Posted October 30, 2020 Author Share Posted October 30, 2020 1 hour ago, alacrity said: Why more shocked? There's 'good' and not 'so good' landlords and tenants throughout the world. Your landlord seems to belong in the second category. Although I doubt the sudden mass failure scenario, I'm sure a suitable compromise should have been possible. If your statements are correct; dump the landlord, rental properties are hardly a scarcity these days. If not dump them anyway, as it's unlikely they would have your best interests at heart after your malignment. I mistakenly thought there would be more familiarity with normal landlord responsibilities. Link to post Share on other sites
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