Fight over repair costs: water damage in an apartment building in Salzburg!
Residents of Langwied are arguing about renovation costs after repeated water damage, while property developer Leitgöb Wohnbau is looking for solutions.

Fight over repair costs: water damage in an apartment building in Salzburg!
In an apartment building in Salzburg, a dispute over renovation costs is causing a stir among the residents. Hans Huber and Bernhard Mühlbacher have been fighting with the developers at Leitgöb Wohnbau for years. It's about more than 100,000 euros that have to be raised as part of the necessary renovation. The conflict is particularly explosive given the history of water damage in the residential complex.
As early as 2019, brown spots appeared on the ceiling in Bernhard Mühlbacher's apartment, indicating water damage. The property manager was immediately notified and a roofer made repairs. But that didn't seem to solve the problems. Water damage occurred again in 2021 and 2022, which was probably due to inadequate installation of the solar system. In order to avoid further damage, the two residents had the solar system dismantled at their own expense.
A rotten roof rack and lengthy arguments
A professional investigation finally revealed that a wooden roof beam was completely rotten - a circumstance that jeopardized the safety of the entire house. Leitgöb Wohnbau had initially promised to repair the damage, but the discussions dragged on. A settlement offer that was supposed to cover 70 percent of the repair costs was withdrawn by the developers. Several reports have now proven that the solar system was inadequately fastened, but the parties are still a long way from finding a solution.
In such cases, the question often arises as to who will ultimately pay for the renovation costs. According to [ra-kotz.de](https://www.ra-kotz.de/wasser Schadenssanierung-wer-traegt-prognoseRisk-bei- Schadensbewärtsung.htm), landlords usually have to pay for damage to the building structure, provided the tenants have not acted culpably. In the event of water damage, it is also recommended to regularly check the building technology and report any damage in a timely manner. Above all, the landlord is obliged to determine the cause of the water damage and arrange for the damage to be repaired.
Developments in the legal dispute
The Huber and Mühlbacher case illustrates how complex dealing with water damage can be. In a similar case with significant water damage in a daycare center, it was shown that clarifying responsibilities often leads to disputes. The regional court decided that the plaintiff's insurance company had to reimburse the plaintiff for damages of over 426,000 euros because the damage was due to poorly carried out renovation work. In this context, it becomes clear how important expert advice is for everyone involved in order to minimize consequential damage and keep costs under control.
The situation remains tense for the tenants Huber and Mühlbacher. While the developers of Leitgöb Wohnbau are not making any further comments due to the ongoing proceedings, the hope of an early solution is a long way off. The question is not only who will cover the costs, but also what the health and financial consequences of the water damage will be for the affected residents. Consumers must always keep in mind that in the event of a dispute, they also have the right to a rent reduction if there are significant disruptions.
Water damage can have far-reaching consequences and must be addressed carefully. According to kanzlei-herfurtner.de, this is not only a question of financial security, but also the security of living conditions. Early reporting and professional assessment are essential in order to be able to clearly assess your own situation.