Possible moisture problems in rental properties

Questioner

I have been living in a rental property for almost 3 years where floor/moisture problems have occurred from the start. I had just finished the renovations in my home when the laminate flooring started to bulge for the first time. After contacting the landlord, I was referred to my own home contents insurance to look for a solution (in retrospect, it was bulging because this was due to a mistake by the landlord). My insurer helped me then. The laminate flooring was removed, moisture and black mold were found underneath (this is extremely unhealthy, but I never made a problem of it because the problem would have been solved), after consultation with the insurer and professionals, a new floor with special foil was laid. The floor was in good condition for a while until a few months ago when I noticed that the floor was rising at various points, exactly the same problem is currently occurring. I immediately informed the landlord and asked them to find a solution. Contact with the landlord is slow, I have emailed several times and eventually a company came by (about 1.5 months ago) to see where the problem was. This company did a moisture measurement and nothing came of it, according to the landlord. I have sought information from my own circle of acquaintances and I have been told that problems with the bulging of the floor can only be caused by moisture or because the floor has not been laid properly, since the latter was done by a professional I really expect the former to be the cause of the problem. The landlord has now given me a choice, see below what they emailed me: It is possible that other 'moisture' problems have arisen under your laminate, but the Rokkeveen company cannot check this at the moment. We would therefore like to propose removing a piece of laminate and carrying out the check on the basis of unequal costs. If it has arisen due to an underlying problem, we will bear all costs, but if it has arisen due to an undetermined cause, the costs will be charged. I find the above a difficult one. Who decides who is to blame for the floor rising? In my experience, the blame could only lie with me if the floor is not properly laid (perhaps I could then fall back on my insurer) but if something else were to happen, the blame would lie with the landlord. Can you advise me on this? This has been going on for quite some time now, I think the landlord has dropped the ball several times and I am also afraid that I will soon be stuck with a floor that is simply not in order and for which no solution has been found.

Lawyer

Based on your story, the chance that the cause lies with you does not seem great. It concerns a problem that has been occurring for a long time and this is already the 2nd time that problems have arisen. In the event that the floor was incorrectly laid, it may be possible that you can recover those costs from the professional who laid the floor. You can also contact the person who installed the flooring to ask for their opinion. You can also ask the landlord for an estimate of any costs so that you can make a better estimate. As to who determines who is at fault, these are initially both parties. If you agree with the outcome, the situation is clear. If you dispute the outcome, you have the opportunity to conduct a counter-investigation or to present your opinion. In the most extreme case, a judge can rule on the case. You can contact me without obligation via my profile if you have any questions or wish to discuss the matter.