Fairview, TN asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Tennessee

Q: My landlord wants me to pay to get a water damaged countertop replaced in my kitchen, but I was not negligent.

They cited improper wiping, but I know I did not expose the area to water beyond normal use. I strongly suspect the problem is due to the laminate countertop not being properly installed and/or sealed where the countertop meets the backsplash piece. What recourse do I have?

1 Lawyer Answer
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Leonard Robert Grefseng
Answered
  • Columbia, TN
  • Licensed in Tennessee

A: If you refuse to pay, the landlord is likely to try to evict you. Ultimately, you could go to court and let a Judge decide what caused the damage.

If they evict you, the landlord will try to withhold your security deposit.

I would not agree to pay for damages I did not cause, but at the same time, what will be the cost of finding another place to rent and then moving there- probably less than a new countertop. In any event, you should start looking for a new rental, just in case the landlord is unreasonable.

Anthony M. Avery agrees with this answer

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