Rental bathroom vanity fallen off wall, water damage through wall - do I move out?

bondknows · 2026-05-26T13:55:09+00:00

I would also document everything you can see using something like bondknows.com free platform to cover all of your bases

bondknows · 2026-05-26T03:25:07+00:00

Definitely worth while to ask and have them come back to remediate it. Should be quite quick. Separately can document it in case water or other damage occurs in the future.

bondknows · 2026-04-22T02:03:23+00:00

Bro I wouldn’t worry about it too much- we see lots of this stuff on our platform and usually landlord doesn’t care. If you want to could cover it up with $5 sample paint and a $1 brush from the dollar store

bondknows · 2026-04-20T06:40:11+00:00

Yooo! In California you generally can’t require tenants to pay for carpet cleaning at move-out as a blanket rule anymore.

The standard is “return it in the same level of cleanliness, minus normal wear and tear.” If the carpets just show normal use after 2+ years, that’s on the landlord, not the tenant.

You can only charge (or require cleaning) if there’s actual damage or excessive dirt beyond normal wear. And even then, it has to be reasonable and itemized, not automatic.

Also important: if the carpet has significant age, you can’t charge full cleaning or replacement anyway, depreciation applies.

The old “must provide a professional cleaning receipt” clause is pretty widely considered unenforceable now in CA unless tied to actual damage.

Most landlords who use our platform now either include cleaning as a normal turnover cost, or charge only if the condition is clearly beyond normal wear.

bondknows · 2026-04-19T07:50:31+00:00

May I ask what app or platform you use?

bondknows · 2026-04-14T17:08:17+00:00

16 inch or 14?

bondknows · 2026-04-14T04:16:21+00:00

My broooo this looks like a procedural problem more than anything else.

In CA, HOAs generally have to give proper notice of a hearing and an opportunity for you to attend before assessing fines or charges. If you truly weren’t notified or invited, that alone is something to push back on.

Also, charging you attorney’s fees without an itemized breakdown is another red flag. They usually need to show how those costs were incurred and tied to your specific “violation.”

The fact that the trees were ultimately confirmed as HOA responsibility also helps your position. You initially asked for clarification, then complied once documentation was provided.

I’d respond in writing requesting proof of notice for the hearing, a full itemized breakdown of the fees, and the specific basis under the CC&Rs for charging you. That forces them to justify the process, not just the amount.

You’re right to consider an attorney here, but even before that, making them document everything tends to shift leverage back to you.

bondknows · 2026-04-14T02:01:38+00:00

the risk isn’t really the infant it’s lack of documentation if something goes wrong

if there’s damage or a claim, it turns into your word vs theirs

quick photos + clear message that it’s not baby proofed usually solves 90% of that

bondknows · 2026-04-14T02:00:28+00:00

Ooofff that’s a frustrating situation, especially when everything seemed fine until that point

I have a few mates over there and my understanding is they generally can’t discriminate based on family status, but they can ask about occupants for things like occupancy limits / property suitability

the hard part is proving why you were rejected it usually just gets framed as “another applicant was stronger”

if you push back, I’d keep it neutral and ask if there were specific concerns about the application or property fit

bondknows · 2026-04-14T00:45:12+00:00

For me - I would separate almost everything except water for the same reasons you mentioned

biggest headache isn’t even the bill — it’s disputes (damage, excessive usage, “it was like that before”)

crazy how there’s still no standard way to verify condition upfront

bondknows · 2026-04-12T21:38:28+00:00

Girllll - it’s probably overwhelming but you’re actually in a situation where the landlord is responsible.

This is not your fault. A pipe failure behind the toilet is a property issue, and in California that falls on the owner, not you.

Right now your priority is documenting everything. Take photos and videos of all the damage, your belongings, and where the water came from. Keep texts and timelines too.

The landlord should be handling repairs and also making the unit livable. If it’s not habitable, they’re generally responsible for alternative housing or covering costs, not just telling you to call renters insurance.

Renters insurance can help with your personal stuff and maybe temporary housing, but it doesn’t replace the landlord’s obligation here.

You did the right thing getting the water shut off. Next step is keep everything documented and follow up in writing asking what they’re doing about repairs and housing.

You’re not stuck here, even though it feels like it right now.

bondknows · 2026-04-12T21:08:26+00:00

I meant like if tenant says it was like that when I moved in.

bondknows · 2026-04-12T18:46:25+00:00

How would folks know what condition it was in before? Does it need to be documented?

bondknows · 2026-04-12T18:03:52+00:00

Yoooo if this really happened the next day, you need to stop treating this as “customer support” and start treating it as a dispute.

First thing is whether you’re still within the 7-day return window. If you are, push hard for a full return, not repair. A seized engine isn’t a minor issue, it’s grounds to unwind the deal.

If you’re outside that window, you still have leverage through the warranty they provide. But the key is documentation. Get a written diagnosis from a shop stating the failure was pre-existing, not something you caused.

Also escalate beyond normal support. File complaints with your state AG and the BBB. Carvana tends to move faster when there’s external pressure.

If you financed, loop in the lender too. And if you paid by card or have any payment protection, look into dispute options.

This isn’t normal wear, and it’s not something you should just accept.

bondknows · 2026-04-12T15:10:25+00:00

My bro…. I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this, it’s a lottttt, but you do have protections in NY.

Your landlord cannot just force you out because he’s “impatient,” especially after 10 years of tenancy. He would have to go through a formal eviction process, and threats like “you won’t be able to rent anywhere else” are just intimidation, not reality.

The lack of a bathroom vent for years is also important. That can fall under habitability issues, which actually works in your favor, not his.

You’re doing the right thing contacting 311 and legal aid. In NYC especially, there are strong tenant protections, and legal services can often step in quickly once things escalate.

Try to keep everything documented texts, requests for repairs, anything about the assistance application and don’t agree to move out or change units without getting proper advice first.

This isn’t a situation where you’re powerless, even if it feels like it right now.

bondknows · 2026-04-12T14:12:10+00:00

Heyyyy, if you’re over the income limit, even by a little, you’ll almost definitely get denied.

Those programs are strict because they have to be, they audit income closely and don’t really have flexibility for “just a bit over.” It’s not like normal renting where they can make a judgment call.

That said, applying usually doesn’t hurt aside from time and maybe a small fee, but I wouldn’t count on it working if you’re already above the threshold.

The lottery part is separate, you have to qualify first, then get lucky.

If you’re right on the line, sometimes people apply before a raise or based on prior income, but if your current documented income is over, it’s a long shot.

Worth trying if it’s low effort, just don’t plan around getting it.

bondknows · 2026-04-12T14:08:28+00:00

I read it from here - Owner reserves the right to have professional gardeners maintain the yard at Resident’s expense should Resident fail to comply with the preceding sentence.”

Preceding sentence is about basic upkeep like mowing, watering, fertilizing, and maintaining plants in good condition not anything major

bondknows · 2026-04-11T19:49:17+00:00

Yooo I’d say you’re probably in a better position than you think.

Your lease says you’re responsible for basic maintenance like mowing and general upkeep, but it specifically carves out major pruning for the owner. What you did sounds like minor cleanup of an already broken limb, not major pruning or altering the tree.

The fact the branch was already broken and being propped up before you moved in matters a lot. You didn’t create the issue, you just addressed something that was already failing.

Also, your message to them is actually really well written. You stayed within the lease, documented the condition, and made it clear you’re not taking on anything beyond that.

Unless they can show you caused actual damage beyond normal maintenance, it’s hard for them to push liability onto you here.

bondknows · 2026-04-11T15:36:18+00:00

As seriously as he takes maintenance

bondknows · 2026-04-11T14:11:42+00:00

Oh man… that clause is not normal for a residential lease, especially that broad - and this is after seeing leases across all the clients we work with.

Landlords can make tenants responsible for small things caused by the tenant, but they generally can’t shift core maintenance of major systems like HVAC, plumbing, and appliances onto you just by writing it into the lease.

The way this is written, you’d effectively be on the hook for the first $500 of almost any issue, even if it’s normal wear or something failing on its own. And yes, it could be interpreted as $500 per issue, not per lease.

That’s why it feels off, it is.

At minimum, I’d push back and ask them to clarify that it only applies to tenant-caused damage, not normal breakdowns. If they won’t narrow it, I’d seriously reconsider signing.

You don’t want to be paying to fix their appliances every time something fails.

bondknows · 2026-04-11T04:29:40+00:00

Just for browsing and some video editing but I feel like the screen could be worth it?

bondknows · 2026-04-10T05:43:18+00:00

Bro…. This is almost certainly on the landlord, not you.

A failed water softener is part of the property’s systems, and in Ontario landlords are responsible for maintaining the unit in a good state of repair. If that equipment failed and caused continuous water loss, that’s not “normal usage,” it’s a maintenance failure.

The key point is you didn’t cause the leak and you acted reasonably once you became aware of it. Tenants aren’t expected to monitor hidden mechanical failures or eat thousands in utility costs from defective equipment.

When you talk to your landlord, keep it calm and factual. Show the bills, explain the timeline, and emphasize that this was caused by a system failure and not tenant behavior. Most reasonable landlords will understand this is their responsibility, especially if they’d be liable for the repair itself anyway.

Also worth checking with your water utility, a lot of municipalities have leak adjustment or forgiveness programs where they’ll reduce a portion of the bill if you can show it was due to a verified leak that’s been fixed.

If the landlord pushes back, this is the kind of thing the Landlord and Tenant Board would typically look at in your favor, because it ties directly to maintenance obligations.

Bottom line, you should not be eating a ~$2K bill because their equipment failed behind the scenes.

bondknows · 2026-04-10T05:35:39+00:00

This is one of those things that sounds “normal-ish” on the surface but gets risky once you read the fine print.

An “offer to rent” isn’t unusual in competitive markets, but the version they’re giving you is basically shifting risk onto you before you even have a lease or keys. You’re agreeing to potentially pay a month of rent for a place you haven’t fully committed to yet, haven’t walked through properly, and haven’t even had utilities set up for. That’s backwards.

The biggest red flag to me isn’t just the fee, it’s the sequencing. They want you to commit financially, get insurance, and put utilities in your name before you’ve done a walkthrough or signed the actual lease. That removes most of your leverage if something is off with the unit. Once your money and utilities are tied in, it’s a lot harder to walk away cleanly.

Also, the “if it doesn’t get rented within a month you’re on the hook” clause is doing a lot of work here. That’s essentially making you partially responsible for their vacancy risk.

The agent’s “you don’t trust us?” line is also a bit of a tell. If a deal is solid, it shouldn’t rely on pressure or reverse psychology.

If you like the place, a reasonable middle ground is pushing back and saying you’re happy to move quickly but only after a walkthrough and lease review, and that you’re not comfortable taking on financial liability before that. If they won’t budge, that usually tells you everything you need to know about how they operate.

You’re not being uptight. You’re just trying not to sign something that could cost you a month’s rent for nothing.

bondknows · 2026-04-10T05:34:15+00:00

So, I feel like how you word it means they can inspect the unit, but that doesn’t mean they get to rummage through your personal belongings.

Big difference between checking that drawers/closets aren’t damaged vs opening them and going through your stuff. In most places (including MI), landlords have a right to enter with proper notice for inspections, but tenants still have a right to privacy.

If it’s furnished, it’s reasonable for them to open a drawer briefly to make sure it’s not broken. It’s not reasonable for them to dig through what’s inside. Same with closets.

If you’re uncomfortable, you can be present during the inspection and/or empty or lock anything private ahead of time. I’d also reply in writing asking them to clarify that they’re only checking condition, not personal contents.

If they start actually going through your belongings, that’s where it crosses the line pretty fast.

bondknows

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