bull_rooster_aardvark
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If the fire was not your fault there is no way you could be required to pay this. Even if the fire was an accident but deemed your fault I still don't think you have to pay for it (but I'm not sure).
Assuming the fire was somehow your fault I still wouldn't pay it unless forced. What I would do in your situation is just write him a letter (cerfied mail, return recipt requested) stating that you don't think you are responsible for these damamges and asking for proof that you need to pay these costs. Now its up to him to prove that this is your cost to you. Then just see what he comes up with as proof (if anything) and judge the proof on its own merits. Also, even if you are responsible I suspect you should onlloy be charged the depreciated value of the stuff that was replaced - but thats another can of worms, and I don't know (personally dont think) you are responsible. |
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spadezgurl22
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yeah your responsible that's why people get renters insurance to cover emergencies like fires or burglaries..learn from this mistakes and insure yourself next time. but yes if the insurance company found u liable for the fire than you do have to pay since u were responsible for the fire. |
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johnfarruca
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First $10,000 seems to be a very large deductible and that would raise a red flag to me. I would visit with an attorney or legal aid group. Your landlord's request doesn't pass the smell test on first glance. |
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TheMom
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Legally speaking you are likely liable for the entire amount, he did not have to claim it against his insurnace at all. Most kitchen fires are the residents fault, there is nothing the landlord could have done to prevent it.
With the labor involved 10k sounds reasonable, You would be lucky to get away with the deductable only, I would pay the man and thank him for his kindness. |
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andrew n
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re read your lease, find a clause* |
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Buck Boy
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Call your local housing authority and see what they say. In the mean time, don't sign anything agreeing that you will pay. Check what the lease says (you do have one, don't you?).
But if you *caused* the fire, you may be responsible nevertheless. |
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Ethylene
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That amount is not a deductible. It is way too high. It sound like it is the entire bill. Renter's insurance is to cover YOUR belongings in case of such a situation. That means things "not permanantly attached to the property" , like kitchen cabinets. The structure of the building/apt/house should be covered by the landlord's insurance. If you were legally declared liable for the fire I would think that you would be being arrested or sued for the fire. In which case, you would have already been investigated by an arson investigator or at the very least questioned very carefully by the insurance folks. The landlord cannot simply decide to send you that kind of bill without more information. First it would need to be established that this fire was your fault. I highly recommend you speak with an attorney that deal's with property law, landlord's and renter's laws and the like. 10,000 sounds extreme. The few bucks you spend for an attorney will be FAR cheaper, AND you will know exactly what your rights and responsibilitiesare in your state/city/county. These laws are usually pretty straight forward. |
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iltmaemc
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you should have had renters insurance. if you caused the fire. you really need to pay. take a loan out and pay it off. if your landlord only wants you to pay the deductable, I doubt it will cost you 10k . |
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Gertie
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I know if CA if it's your fault the fire started then you are responsible for paying the bill. You should get rental insurance for the future |
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ME
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First of all, even if you had renters insurance, it doesnt cover the actual house or anything that belongs to the landlord. It's just liability and your personal belongings. Second, who's fault was the fire? Even if it was yours, unless it is specified in your lease that you should pay the deductible, then you shouldnt. |
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