I live in a rented wg. I put a very light travel mattress in front of this windows so there is no light comes here to cover it for one month. So i took the mattress down and there was this crack only inside the window. I searched in the internet and it says that something related when the outside is heated and inside is cold the glass crack. I live in a a basement apartment. I immediately told my landlord ans my liability insurance company. However the liability insurance says they can't do anything since the damage is on glass. And the landlord demands 1500 euro from me to fix this. I am too poor to even pay 500 euro and 1500euro is too much for me. Is there any other way? I live in Köln, near lövenich (in case any expert can see what was the issue).
by naim0167
5 comments
Is it that cold in your apartment? My mother once cracked a window in winter with an electric heater right in front the window. That was quite the temperature difference, but with a mattress in front of the window…? Must be some cheap glass.
I personally think this was not your fault and in this case the landlord has to pay for the repairs. Maybe hire someone who can determine if this could happen because a mattress was leaning against it.
You put a mattress to block a window instead of using some curtains? Glass is usually extra in most insurances and you should look,carefully what they cover. Not much to say here, sounds to me like you damaged the glass and the landlords want to get it repaired. Maybe you can pay it over several months instead of all at once? Also he should let it get repaired and you will see the actual bill then, maybe it’s cheaper than 1500€
Unfortunately glass in your rented apartment is usually covered in a separate policy and won’t be covered in a normal Privat-Haftpflichtversicherung. Though I might take this to your local Mieterverein and see what they say. Worst case you have to pay, but have your landlord send you the actual bill for the repair (or better yet demand he get multiple estimates for the repair cost). I wouldn’t just pay what he says straight away.
You only have to pay the repair bill. I don’t know how much a new window pane plus labour costs, but I doubt it’s 1500€.
You could call a window fitter and ask for a quote.
1500 seems too much, but you can’t exchange just the broken glass pane with these windows. It probably needs to be completely replaced (minus the frame). And depending on size, energy efficacy, and if it’s a custom size it may get costly.
But still, 1500€ for a plastic window is too much IMO.