Rental Contract Question

[NanSanPedro]

So I've been with my landlady/lord now for over 4 years with 2 different rental properties. We get along fairly well. The issue is now that the pressure tank for the well pump has sprung a serious leak to where the pump won't shut off automaticall. It's a rust issue so that it's not repairable.

The cost of replacing the tank is 23k pesos. They want me to pay half as their mom uses the pump and tank also. Given that it's not my fault and also given that I can't take the tank with me when I leave, I'm not happy about paying. My Haitian kid tells me though that this is how they do stuff in the DR. Additionally, in the contract it says that I have to pay for broken stuff.

Given that my share is only $200 USA, this may not be worth bitching about, but I'm wondering if I have a legal leg to stand on if I refuse to pay.

Thanks in advance.

 

[CG]

Personally, & firstly I'd pay to stay on good terms with your landlady, secondly it will be cheaper to replace only the tank and not the mano de obra for the pump rebuild or a new pump altogether when it burns up from running 24/7. My two cents...

 

[SKY]

Given that my share is only $200 USA, this may not be worth bitching about, but I'm wondering if I have a legal leg to stand on if I refuse to pay.

Thanks in advance.

Pay it. Legal leg means paying a lawyer. By the time you are through the lawyer will get the $200 or more instead of the landlady that you get along with..........

 

[CristoRey]

Pay it.

 

[drstock]

The problem I would see with paying it is that they will then start charging you for other things. When I was a landlord here I never charged any tenant for things like that.

 

[SKY]

The problem I would see with paying it is that they will then start charging you for other things. When I was a landlord here I never charged any tenant for things like that.

He has been there for 4 years with no problems of money to speak of, Pay it and keep the peace..........

 

[Father Guido]

Are they Dominican?, moral of the story, never rent from a Dominican, they won't fix anything, and you end up paying for/organizing repairs; my Dueno is Italian, not long ago my hot water tank burst during the night, I reported it to him at 8am, by 11am same day new one was installed

 

[Manuel01]

So I've been with my landlady/lord now for over 4 years with 2 different rental properties. We get along fairly well. The issue is now that the pressure tank for the well pump has sprung a serious leak to where the pump won't shut off automaticall. It's a rust issue so that it's not repairable.

The cost of replacing the tank is 23k pesos. They want me to pay half as their mom uses the pump and tank also. Given that it's not my fault and also given that I can't take the tank with me when I leave, I'm not happy about paying. My Haitian kid tells me though that this is how they do stuff in the DR. Additionally, in the contract it says that I have to pay for broken stuff.

Given that my share is only $200 USA, this may not be worth bitching about, but I'm wondering if I have a legal leg to stand on if I refuse to pay.

Thanks in advance.

Pay and Smile ! And if you feel like that you didn't have to pay this, the day you decide to leave, let's say you have a one month deposit, just stay 2 month without payment.

 

[Pikobello]

Normaly your Landlord (the Owner) has to pay this. I'm pretty sure your contract says you've been responsable for everything IN your apartment, the waterpump and tank is outside and not in your responsiblity. I have changed tanks in my buildings a few times and I didn't live in it, but I can't charge my tenants for this because the contract (and the ley) say's the contrary.
But if you feel confortable with your Landlord and your apartment,then pay it. Fighting for your right cost you more and will effect your relationship negativ with your landlord.

 

[chico bill]

You will save on the constant running pump electricity if it's on your meter) but you should also replace the pressure switch at the same time and put in a new pressure guage so you not on and off pressures and can adjust the switch

 

[cavok]

I wouldn't get a lawyer but I wouldn't give in so easily either. I'd at least try to explain to her in a non-combative, diplomatic way, that you didn't break the tank and it's really not fair for you to pay for it. If she still insists, pay it.

 

[JLSawmam]

So, if you had just moved in two months ago, would your landlord try the same stunt? In that scenario, it's not your wear and tear (if they want to claim that) that broke the tank. What happens when the outside paint looks shabby...your problem?

 

[Father Guido]

Personally, & firstly I'd pay to stay on good terms with your landlady, secondly it will be cheaper to replace only the tank and not the mano de obra for the pump rebuild or a new pump altogether when it burns up from running 24/7. My two cents...

what about the owners staying on good terms with good tenants?, I know my owner appreciates that six times a year I pay 2 months in advance

 

[cavok]

Personally, & firstly I'd pay to stay on good terms with your landlady, secondly it will be cheaper to replace only the tank and not the mano de obra for the pump rebuild or a new pump altogether when it burns up from running 24/7. My two cents...

Those pumps don't cost that much and they're not the renter's responsibility either.

 

[JD Jones]

Nan, did she show you a quotation from someone for the job?

 

[Bucketowater47]

Our tinaco sprung a leak. We bought the goo to fix the leak. After two more leaks our landlord agreed it was the old tank and bought us a new one. (Landlord: Italian and his Dominican wife)

 

[keepcoming]

Nan, I know you posted that it is in your contract to pay for things that break, but is this an issue about something broken? Isn't this more of a maintenance issue? I have never rented in the DR, always owned but I would think something like this would be the landlord's responsibility. I guess you would need to decide if it is worth going back and forth with your landlord about it.

 

[NanSanPedro]

Nan, did she show you a quotation from someone for the job?

They told me 18k to buy a new tank and 5k for installation. again, to be split 50/50

 

[JD Jones]

They told me 18k to buy a new tank and 5k for installation. again, to be split 50/50

I just did a quick search, take a look at these prices:

Tanques de presión

Resuelve todo de manera instantánea. Compra en línea artículos de ferretería, electrodomésticos y hogar. Servicio Pick Up y Domicilio.

innovacentro.com.do

18 is cheap for a diaphragm tank, but it's really expensive for a regular tank. You should be able to talk to her and ask what she's getting for 18K.

5K is a little on the high side, but acceptable.

(I had a plumber do some work in my place last week, and FWIW, he charged me 4K for 2 days.

Breaking cement, changing broken tubes, installing a pump, and patching the holes he made.

Nevertheless, if you're comfortable with the $200, I say go for it.

 

[MariaRubia]

The problem I would see with paying it is that they will then start charging you for other things. When I was a landlord here I never charged any tenant for things like that.

Precisely why Dominicans like doing business with us gringos, we have a sense of fairness and decency. But like the other posters, I suggest that Nan just pays the US$ 200, maybe making the point clearly that he should not need to and doesn't think it's fair, but in the interest of being a good tenant he will do this.