With your next month's rent, write a letter stating that although you do take responsibility for damaging a pipe, it is not your responsibility to bring his plumbing up to code as his property contained hazardous and toxic material long before you became a tenant. Then deduct half of the cost you paid for the repairs from your rent check. Keep a copy of your letter. If you have a copy of the plumber's bill, hold onto that as well.
It's 100% on you. The landlord had nothing to do with it. You can't blame it on the type of construction unless it was illegally built. Doesn't sound like it was.
Try these http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/r...
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=...
Next time use what they call a stud finder or sticky hooks.
You caused the damage it is your fault. Had you been more careful it would not have happened.
In the UK this would be covered by household insurance.
A couple if days ago I tried to hang a picture above our fireplace and hit a lead gas pipe, terribly unlucky I know! Because we're in an old terraced house, the plumber is having to fit new pipes etc and I'm being charged ￡220. I know it's my fault but my landlord is not willing to contribute anything to the cost. In my defence, that pipe should not have been so close to the surface of the wall. It the pipes were not lead the work could have been done in an hour and for a lot less money. I just want to know my rights as my parents are saying I should be trying to get some money off him, as he will be benefitting from this in the long term. Thanks.
