Should have seen that coming!

You know the boiler was broken down when the new tenant moved in? Well the landlords have sent us the bill and asked us to reimburse them.

At times like this I feel torn. On the one hand I am sure the boiler was working when we left, and the new guy didn't move in till over a week afterwards. Also the maintenance contract we had taken out was still current, but they got some other company in to fix it. And I am pretty sure that a court of law in Britain would say we were in the clear.

However, we aren't in Britain. What would a French court say? And is it worth it to fight over a comparatively small sum of money. When anyway it's only money. (Yes - but it's God's money. Yes, but he can look after his money without our fighting for him... ) You can imagine the internal battle.

The "Just shut up and pay the people" voice is winning, though. After all, we did break the gatepost and they haven't charged us for that. And the sum is paltry compared to what we paid them every month for a year in rent!

Comments

Anonymous said…
I'm with you on this one Alan. It isn't worth the time or the hassle to fight it, particularly as you are the stranger in a foreign land. Let the Lord fight your battle. Greedy landlords and all thieves will not inherit the earth, but the meek will!
10:07 am
Emmanuel said…
I agree. Just studying Matt 5: 38-42, maybe the principle applies to that kind of case.
11:37 am
Alan said…
Yes. I sought the advice of our team leader, and she thinks it's best to pay it. After all, their souls matter more than the money.

The only thing we are a little worried about is that the bill also includes the maintenance contract on the boiler - and that is something the new tenant must pay, like I did. I worry that our landlords (who are nice people) are being treated a little unfairly by their new tenant.

So I am going to go and see them and pay for the repair straight away, but urge them to charge him for the contract because it is his responsibility to have one, and to continue to have one next year etc...

Our team leader also came up with a plausible theory for why the boiler failed, which I can't really share here, but it does make sense.
9:23 am
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