Garbage disposable - who should pay for the repair?

[Gytenis B.]

Hello Friends and Colleagues,

I have a question from a renter's side at the moment. Who should be paying for the leaking garbage disposal repair? If the lease states that landlord is responsible for the repairs unless of misuse, waste, or neglect of the tenant. 

My landlord is stating that it was not normal wear and tear and that's why I should be charged for it. I do not agree with that as the garbage disposal was not used for anything else but small bits of food and never in large quantities. 

What would be the best way to approach this? 

Action is happening in Wisconsin. 

[Marian Smith]

A leaking garbage disposal has reached the end of its lifespan...unless it was not installed correctly. They are all metal and wear out over time. A spoon or piece of glass, etc will sometimes fall in the sink and lock the disposal blades and an allen wrench will turn the blades backwards to dislodge the debris, and that is the tenants responsibility. A leaking worn out disposal will have to be replaced and is the landlords responsibility.