What to do if you flood a rental apartment
A flooded apartment is a nightmare not only for every owner, but also for the tenant. Not to mention the broken relationship between neighbours. Do you know what to do in the event of an accident, or do you quietly hope it never happens to you? Let's get clear on who is responsible for the flooding, what insurance covers and how to deal with the damage.
Table of Contents
What insurance to take out when renting?
Whatever the cause of the flooding, suitable insurance can help reduce the consequences. If you're in the position of a tenant, home insurance is particularly relevant. This covers the furnishings you bring into the home - such as furniture, electrical appliances, clothes and so on - and will help cover the costs of damaged equipment in the event of flooding. However, if you use the original equipment, your policy does not cover damage to it and the landlord must arrange their own.
For accidents such as flooding, it is also advisable to take out a 'insurance for stupid mistakes', which is liability insurance. It covers damage you cause to someone else in the course of normal activities and will help you pay for damages just in case you flood your neighbours through your own fault.
Who is responsible for the damage?
How do I determine who is responsible in the event of an accident? It is not always easy. A simple rule of thumb can give you a basic guide - things you can't see and can't reach are the owner's responsibility - for example, a water pipe in the wall. Things you can check are usually your responsibility as a tenant (the tap in the bath). But if you use a washing machine that is part of the furnishings of the flat and is the landlord's property, the responsibility for damage is on the landlord.
How to deal with damage caused by flooding?
If you have "successfully" flooded your neighbours, there may be various situations of dealing with the damage.
- If you have liability insurance, this policy will pay for the damage
- If you do not have liability insurance but your neighbour has home insurance, this will pay for the damage and the insurance company will then recover it from you
- If no one has insurance, you need to make arrangements - preferably in writing. You have 30 days to repair the damage and restore the home to its original condition. After that, your neighbour can repair the damage himself and charge you for the full cost.
5 steps to take when your apartment is flooded
1. Prevent further water leaks. If this is not in your power, call a plumber.
2. Document it - before you start cleaning up, but also during. You can use photos with date and time, or take a shorter video. Good documentation will help resolve the incident faster and without misunderstandings.
3. Contact neighbors and owners.
4. Report the insurance claim. If you don't have insurance, work with the owner and neighbors to arrange for covering damages.
