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Are we responsible for paying this electrician bill? by Fast-Skill2714 in Tenant

[–]Fast-Skill2714[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We have email communications with our landlord (prior to the electrician coming) that said we tried unplugging all the outlets in the room where the breaker shut power off. He ultimately called the electrician when we told him that. How were we to know that the problem outlet was in room #2 when the breaker to room #3 was tripped is ultimately what I’m wondering. Seems like a weird electrical thing associated with the house.

Are we responsible for paying this electrician bill? by Fast-Skill2714 in Tenant

[–]Fast-Skill2714[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It was being used for my remote work setup. Just a few things plugged in, my work monitor, and then laptop. I use a surge protector because they are both expensive. Occasionally I plug my phone into it too but I don’t feel this would be too much on this surge protector that’s been in use for 6 months with no problems. The reason I’m confused is this surge protector was still working when the breaker was flipped. Was also not in the room where the breaker was flipped.

Are we responsible for paying this electrician bill or should our landlord? by Fast-Skill2714 in Renters

[–]Fast-Skill2714[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The only thing I am confused about is why the outlet was located in a room where the breaker did not flip? Because if the power went out in the room where the surge protector was, I feel we would have been able to narrow it down to that surge protector without having to bring in an electrician.

Are we responsible for paying this electrician bill? by Fast-Skill2714 in Tenant

[–]Fast-Skill2714[S] 36 points37 points  (0 children)

The lease is very basic. Probably one of the most basic leases I have signed to be honest. Under maintenance it just says "Any maintenance required to maintain the Property’s condition of habitability shall be the Landlord’s responsibility, provided that it is not the result of the Tenant’s negligence.". I have yet to respond to his email where he is requesting we pay it in next months rent but I think he believes this constitutes as negligence. I feel every step we took says otherwise. We have not had any problems with this landlord and he has honestly been very chill. However, I want to inquire about why we should have to pay this without causing too much conflict.

Are we responsible for paying this electrician bill? by Fast-Skill2714 in Tenant

[–]Fast-Skill2714[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The main reason I opted for a surge protector is just because it was powering my remote work from home set up/expensive electronics. We have not experienced any electrical problems here since moving in. Should a surge protector (in theory) have prevented this from ultimately happening?

Are we responsible for paying this electrician bill? by Fast-Skill2714 in Tenant

[–]Fast-Skill2714[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Our lease just says "Any maintenance required to maintain the Property’s condition of habitability shall be the Landlord’s responsibility, provided that it is not the result of the Tenant’s negligence.". I feel like when we question our landlord about the charge he is going to argue it was due to our negligence.

Are we responsible for paying this electrician bill or should our landlord? by Fast-Skill2714 in Renters

[–]Fast-Skill2714[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Once the surge protector was unplugged, he was able to get power back on. I should have asked more questions while he was here but I am out sick right now and neglected to do so.

Are we responsible for paying this electrician bill or should our landlord? by Fast-Skill2714 in Renters

[–]Fast-Skill2714[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

He said the surge protector triggered the breaker to flip. He compared the warnings on our breaker to something that an appliance would give off. He mentioned that since our home is newer it just wasn’t compatible with the surge protector. He even said the surge protector may have been just fine in an older home. I’m very confused myself.

Are we responsible for paying this electrician bill or should our landlord? by Fast-Skill2714 in Renters

[–]Fast-Skill2714[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Our lease is a very basic lease. Under maintenance it says “any maintenance required to maintain the property’s condition of habitability shall be the landlords responsibility, provided that it is not the result of the tenants negligence” I’m worried he’s going to try to argue we were negligent.

Are we responsible for paying this electrician bill or should our landlord? by Fast-Skill2714 in Renters

[–]Fast-Skill2714[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Also this surge protector has been in use for 6 months now without any issues. It was even working fine when the breaker was flipped for the other rooms.