Good Day,
I need some advice/ guidance please to gain more understanding if I, as the tenant, is liable for the repairs due to a faulty/ old aircon that was leaking water and big pieces of ice.
This issue was clearly documented and communicated to my agent on numerous occasions after a month of moving in, as soon as the issue arised. The flooring is a laminate wood flooring and as I understand the nature of this type of flooring and water contact, I was genuinely concerned for the floor and even stated this when I reported the issue.
Twice a maintenance repair worker was sent to take a look but the issue continued. And I carried on reporting it to the agent every time the aircon leaked water and ice.
Eventually 6 months later after the initial report, the aircon stopped working completely, didn’t switch on. At this point, the owner then replaced the aircon. After the aircon replacement, that very same day, I noticed that a section of the flooring underneath the aircon the top laminant had chipped off and you could see the swollen wood underneath. And I reported this damage to the agent straight away.
My agent kept replying with photos of the original state of the floor upon my arrival and said I would need to pay for it because it’s not in original condition as per when I moved in.
I sent through all the screenshots of our LINE communication from the first time I logged the leaking issue and all the times prior.
The agent came back to say that the owner would like to split the cost 50/50. Am I responsible to pay anything toward this damaged incurred by the faulty aircon?
As a tenant I can take full responsibility for any damage due to negligence or accidental breakage by me and also happy to follow any laws regarding repairs to rentals.. but I don’t see how this flooring damage falls under any sort of negligence or misuse by me and why I would be required to pay towards the repairs.
Any advice from a legal/ Thai rental law standpoint would be truly helpful.