So, am I really going to be fucked then?

[JimDanger]

I was an idiot, and ended up causing a small fire on my balcony. The fire happened in a small plastic bin and by the time I was aware of it, it was completely melted. Despite putting it out with a bucket of water it was still smoldering. I took a knife and scraped all the plastic off of the balcony surface to make sure I I could stop the smoldering. At some point, I guess it also got under the top layer of the balcony, which is this thin rubber mat that's glued to the concrete. I ended up pulling off about a square foot of the stuff in the corner of my balcony.

First, I'm glad this wasn't a major fire and I didn't kill everyone in my building. Secondly, I've learned from my mistakes, so I'll be having no more fire nonsense.

My problem is I'm not sure whether or not to tell my landlord. I think he already hates me, and if I show him the damage, he'd rather kick me out than let me pay for it. I went out and bought some nice boards used for shelving, laid it on top, and put a garbage can and some other stuff to make it look pleasing. I'm hoping he won't notice until the day I actually move out and he can just keep the security deposit.

What should I do?

[amdg]

Sounds like you've got the right plan - just hide it.

Either that or just burn the whole fucker down and move on.

[Iraira]

First of all, the landlord can't just kick you out. You've got a contract, and if the landlord chooses to break it, cha-ching to you.
Take a ton of pictures of everything, even videotape it if you can. If the landlord demands that the damage will cost 100,000,000 yen to repair, you've got proof that he/she is lying big time.
My own experience of "being somewhat forced out" was that the landlords basically want to keep as much of your deposit as possible anyway, "Much like a puff of stale cigarette smoke can be sensed long after the smoker has gone, so can the feeling of the previous tenent of the apartment." Very poetic, but poetry fails to move me when some shylock is trying to pry open the Iraira Family Fortune.
As my greatgrandfather used to say on our birthdays, "Where's the money, be-yotch?"

[dimwit]

Er, you wouldn't happen to live in the same apartment as Sarutaro would you?

Hiding it would be extemely advisable. Starting an apartment fire is probably one way your landlord could kick you out. The question is did the other tenents in the building notice the fire? If you want to stay there, you may need to start doing some serious ass kissing.

[Greji]

Er, you wouldn't happen to live in the same apartment as Sarutaro would you?

You might consider putting a bathtub on the balcony and filling it with sand. This appears to be a new, popular decorative touch favored by young people and it would have many uses, such as hiding scorch marks and as a planter, etc....

[Catoneinutica]

OP, you're all set, methinks; don't give it another thought. When moving time comes, tell the landlord it was there when you moved in (what do you have to lose if he already hates you?).

-catone

-a colleague of my wife's was annoyed that he'd gone to visit a mansion in Saitama he was renting out, and the tenants had hooked up an LP gas tank on the veranda. Food always tastes better al fresco!

[kurohinge1]

. . . At some point, I guess it also got under the top layer of the balcony, which is this thin rubber mat that's glued to the concrete. I ended up pulling off about a square foot of the stuff in the corner of my balcony. . .

What about working out how much it'd cost to rip up the matting and replace it (if you can't patch it - and I don't mean patching it by "borrowing" a piece from a neighbour's balcony). At least then you know what it'd cost to do. If It's cheap, you could do it yourself before you go (and I'm assuming it's not a huge balcony). Or if you don't DIY, then at least you could use the likely cost as a bargaining point with your landlord.

Just my 2 yen.

PS: Buy a metal gomibako or stop smoking.

[nottu]

[amdg]

If It's cheap, you could do it yourself before you go (and I'm assuming it's not a huge balcony).

I probably wouldn't do that. Repairing fixtures yourself, even if you get a professional to come in a do it, can muddy the waters. The owner can claim that this was unauthorized changes to his place, and he doesn't like the quality of the job, and claim it has to all be re-done and then ask you for the money. Mind you, you'd probably win in the end, but its not worth the headache.

[Charles]

Just cover it up with a bathtub full of sand.

[GomiGirl]

Tokyu Hands have whole sections devoted to repair materials for rental apartments. For example they have wallpaper bits that will cover cat scratch marks to hide that you ever had a cat there (Tried it and it works). As long as you can make any repairs to completely hide any damage I say do that.

Or, just sit tight and wait until you move out and just don't expect any deposit back.

When you move out of an apartment, often the inspector will want to want you there when they make the report to explain anything any damage. Remember that general wear and tear is exempt from security deposit deductions, but neglect or fire damage is not exempt.

[Greji]

Remember that general wear and tear is exempt from security deposit deductions, but neglect or fire damage is not exempt.

Spoken like the true slum lord that you are dear! Glad to see you got away from the white pointers one more time......

[Catoneinutica]

You might consider putting a bathtub on the balcony and filling it with sand.

Just cover it up with a bathtub full of sand.

Uh...<clears throat> you two fellas seem to have a very special connection.

-catone
-a connection that spans the vast Pacific, no less.

[Charles]

Uh...<clears throat> you two fellas seem to have a very special connection.

Oops, wasn't reading the thread carefully. Nothing worse than cracking a joke someone else just told.

[Greji]

Oops, wasn't reading the thread carefully. Nothing worse than cracking a joke someone else just told.

Well, the Hawkeyes have always tried to copy we Illini!