Accidental Damage to Your Rental Unit
Answers for Renters

Sometimes the most careful and responsible renter may accidentally cause damage to the rental property. When that happens, don’t make a bad situation worse by trying to cover it up or fix it yourself. Notify the owner or manager immediately and discuss what needs to be done. Your assistance may be welcomed, or the manager may prefer to have a professional do the repair.
          
Problems that start out small can get out of control quickly when you try to do repairs on your own, especially when you lack the necessary expertise or tools. Your repair may actually end up causing more damage than the original problem. A repair job that you think is perfect may have to be redone, and the cost may be more than it would have been if you had let someone else repair it in the first place. 

So, if your bathtub overflows and water soaks the hallway carpet, let the manager know. If you store too many boxes on the closet shelf and it falls down, don’t try to fix it yourself. When you make a major spill on your carpet, call for help. Renters are responsible for any damage they cause, but notifying the property manager immediately may save you money in the long run.