Grußtig everyone,

I need some advice as a poor, dumb international person. I live in upper Austria working on my PhD. Next week, I’m moving and handing over my current apartment to the property management company. For a few weeks now, I’ve noticed water leaking from my shower due to the silicone joints being very worn. When I messaged the management company about this, they said it’s MY responsibility to fix this things, and it does in fact state that silicone joints are my responsibility in the lease agreement.

But, then a colleague forwarded me this [article](https://www.kleinezeitung.at/service/ombudsmann/5356625/IMMOBILIENOMBUDSMANN_Mieter-muss-schadhafte-Dichtungen-nicht-ersetzen) from Kleine Zeitung, which includes court documents asserting that this does NOT fall under the duties of a tenant.

Now I’m at a loss. I’m leaving next week. Do I say nothing and hope they don’t check to make sure I fixed the problem myself? Or do I bring it up now and make waves right as I’m vacating the apartment? I’m leaning more towards not saying anything…but I don’t want this to bite me later on and have my deposit withheld from me.

Any advice or similar experience? Thanks!

8 comments

  2. I wouldn’t say anything and then in case they withold the Kaution, you forward them the article and tell them it’s their responsibility and that you want your deposti back.

  4. >Die Verpflichtung des Mieters, diese Silikonfugen wenn sie ihre Dichtungsfunktion nicht mehr erfüllen, zu erneuern, wird von der Rechtsprechung jedoch als unzulässige Überwälzung von Erhaltungspflichten angesehen

    Yes, the article says that you dont have to renew them, BUT:

    >Es ist als zulässig anzusehen, den Mieter zu verpflichten, Silikonfugen in regelmäßigen Abständen daraufhin zu untersuchen („zu warten“), ob diese noch dicht sind.

    The article says its your duty to observe them.

    >Eine fachgerechte Erneuerung von elastischen Fugen wäre keine bloße Bagatellreparatur, die der Mieter selbst vornehmen könne.

    The article also says that YOU as a person dont have to renew/repair them. With that said – it says not that its not your fault if you dont report them to the managment or let them repair and bring in the bill.

  5. Depends if you fall unter full MRG / half or partial MRG or non MRG (Mietrechtsgesetz) of your apartment. Also it depends whats written inside your contract or any additional papers.

    But generally speaking, everything starting from the pipes or infrastracture wise is your responsibility. From experience, an example: Landlord is responsible for waterpipes in and out the house or the apartment. He is not responsible for your sink or your toilet. So if you want silicon joints (which helps to protect from water damage) it is your responsiblity.
    simple speaking of course.

  6. >Grußtig

    😦

    >upper Austria

    >Grußtig

    😧😧😧

    Ah, HELL NO

    ![gif](giphy|8gL7SZ2e4p2NEJNUHP|downsized)

  7. Fixing this requires an afternoon of work at most and costs a few euros in material, I don’t see how it would be worth arguing this stuff or risking that someone gets hired and covered by the deposit…

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