The short answer
If you rent, stop the water if you safely can, tell your landlord or property manager right away, ideally in writing, and photograph your belongings. The building owner generally handles repairs to the building, and your own renters insurance covers your belongings. Landlords should start mitigation fast, because water spreads between units and mold follows wet materials.
On this page
First steps for tenants
- Close the fixture's shut-off, or the main if you can reach it and it's safe.
- Call or text the landlord or property manager, then follow up in writing with the time and what happened.
- Warn neighbors below, since water travels down through floors.
- Photograph the source, the damage and your belongings.
- Move your things to a dry area and call your renters insurer.
What tenants should keep
- a copy of the message you sent the landlord, with the date and time
- photos of the source, the damage and your belongings
- a list of damaged items with approximate values
- receipts for anything you had to replace or for a place to stay
Who's responsible for what?
| Item | Usually |
|---|---|
| The building: walls, floors, ceilings, plumbing | The landlord and the landlord's insurance |
| Your belongings | Your renters insurance |
| A place to stay if the unit isn't livable | Often your renters policy's additional living expense coverage |
| Damage you or a guest caused | May fall on you, depending on the lease and the policies |
Your lease and both insurance policies decide the details.
Student rentals near Westfield State
Westfield State University students make up about 15% of Westfield's population, so many rentals change hands every year, and units can sit empty over winter break. Before leaving for a break, keep the heat on, ask the landlord where the main shut-off is and report drips before they become leaks. See how to keep pipes from freezing.
Mold and repairs
If water damage isn't dried, mold can follow. Massachusetts sets minimum standards for rental housing in the State Sanitary Code, enforced by local boards of health, so tenants with unresolved water or mold problems can contact their city or town's board of health. See mold remediation after water damage.
For landlords
- Make sure tenants know where the main shut-off is.
- Respond the same day: drying within 24 to 48 hours, in line with the EPA's guidance, limits damage and mold.
- Check the units above, below and beside the leak.
- Use a registered Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor if the building qualifies, and keep records of the work.
For local help, see our main page on Westfield water damage help.
Sources
- Westfield, Massachusetts (Wikipedia: 2020 Census population, geography, Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport climate normals, 1981–2010)
- EPA, Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, Chapter 4 (responding to water damage within 24–48 hours)
- Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor program (Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation)
Frequently asked questions
Does my landlord's insurance cover my belongings after water damage?
Usually not. A landlord's policy generally covers the building. Your own renters insurance covers your belongings.
What should I do if my landlord won't fix water damage?
Put your request in writing and keep copies. Massachusetts enforces minimum housing standards through local boards of health, so you can contact your city or town's board of health.
Who pays if water from my apartment damages the unit below?
It depends on the cause, the leases and the insurance policies involved. Report it to the landlord and your renters insurer right away.