do i admit fault?

Question

i recently purchased a condo converted from an apartment complex. a hose from my hot water heater leaked and caused some minor damage to the ceiling of the unit below. am i responsible. will my insurance pay? will their insurance pay? is the seller of the condo to me in anyway responsible? do i admit fault?

Answer 1

Your insurance should be responsible. let the two insurance companies argue about who should pay. That way you can remain neighbors, hopefully with no problems, as accidents happen.

As far as the seller goes, unless they offered a warranty, or they hid a problem that caused the leak, then they are not responsible.

Answer 2

Was there any sort of inspection done before the condo was purchased -- and after the conversion was done? If this is a recent conversion, the hose should not have leaked. As to your liability, that's far too complex a question to answer without a HUGE amount of information. It's something your lawyer and their lawyer and the former owner's lawyer will have to sort out.
At this point, admit nothing but talk to a lawyer, fast.

Answer 3

Don't admit fault verbally to them. But, really you are at fault. Contact your insurance and they will send out an adjuster or tell you to have the neighbor get a couple estimates. Once you buy a house or condo, unless you have one of those new warranties they sell that are good for about 1 year, you are responsible for anything that goes wrong.

Answer 4

Most likely your insurance would pay for the damage, but check with your lease or landlord. Your landlord may be the one responsible for the damages caused. If you bought it, then the previous owner could be held responsible, depending on the severity of the damage. You can blame him for selling you a condo with "faulty plumbing."

Answer 5

Call your insurance provider and tell them all material facts. I think they will have to pay and not the insurer of the unit below. The legal team of your insurer will handle your case and advise you what to do. Dont accept or do anything on your own.
Dont let this affect you too much. You have paid for the insurance just for this scenario and now leave all the worrying to the insurance company.

Answer 6

In my condo, the unit owner is responsible for water heaters, finances, etc. The seller is only responsible if they were aware of the problem and fail to inform you. Local law may not require disclosure, but they are never required to disclose what they don't know.

Answer 7

Let the two insurance companies haggle it out, they get paid to do that. Probably already have, you just don't know it yet!

The old owner is off the hook, once you take it you take responsibility for it unless he knew and deliberately concealed it (not likely in this event.) That's more like, "Yes we replaced the roof 2 months ago" when in reality it's 10 years old. Then he's got problems.

Answer 8

If the leak occurred after you purchased it, you are legally liable. If you have liability insurance, your insurance should cover it.

** Note: The above is not legal advice, but a discussion of the legal issues presented by your question. Local laws or your situation may vary the general rules. For a definitive answer to your question you should consult local legal counsel.**

Answer 9

I haven't read you policy, but it seems like your insurance should pay, since the hose from your unit caused the damage.

Answer 10

Oh come on!
Why admit it even if your insurance will cover it you are gonna have a lot of stress to deal with!
I say play your odds....if they notice & call you on it, then say "Oh really I had no idea! I'll call my insurance company!"
If they don't notice, then just sit back & enjoy your low insurance premiums!!
Good Luck!!