What would you do in this situation?

[Scott Lyons]

So we had a tenant who accidentally (no idea how this actually happens) left their bathroom sink, which had a little blockage, running over night and caused flooding onto their floor and into the unit below. We immediately called a water mitigation co. who came out do dry things out but some damage was already caused in the form of ruined paint and drywall. We are still assessing the damage but our insurance deductible is $1k. Curious how others would handle this situation?

Do you make the renters pay for it since it was complete negligence? Put them on a payment plan to cover it? Eat the cost, file insurance claim and warn them that if something like that happens again they are out of there? The tenants have only been there a couple months, though up to this point seemed to be great tenants. The lease doesn't specifically call out this act but does has some clauses regarding damages caused by gross negligence.

[Debbie C.]

I would have the tenant pay for the repair. The only question would be how to charge them, all at once or on a payment schedule. That is up to you.

They were careless and caused the damage, they should take the responsibility to make it right, and if they are great tenants then they should want to do the right thing.

You did not mention if they have a renters insurance policy in place. We require our tenants to be covered and to name us as "additional insured". That will cover a number of things that can happen to your property that the policy will pay for because many tenants will not have the extra money.

Good Luck