New landlord: dealing with damage: Cracked porcelain sink
A tenant recently moved into my NYC rental unit. He needed the pipes under the bathroom sink tightened up. So I went by yesterday and let myself in. Fixed the pipes and as I was cleaning up I noticed a crack in one of the sinks. (bathroom double vanity). I look underneath and sure enough it's cracked and water is running out.
The tenant moved in 30 days ago. After the prior tenant moved out, I went to fix a few thing and cleaned the apartment myself. Which included wiping down the sinks. I didn't notice this issue. I'm pretty sure it wasn't cracked when I went to clean it, but I cannot say that with 100% confidence.
How should I approach the tenant? I don't want to accuse him of breaking my sink. But at the same time, I don't want to eat the cost myself. New sink, replacement job. etc.
I think the first email should be a friendly one saying something like "I fixed the pipes and as I was cleaning up I noticed a crack in the sink."