To elaborate, one friend was out of town and while he was gone his roommates used the master key to unlock his room to play some music (which had never bothered the person before) and then they left to go out and while they were gone this kids room was robbed. Now, before leaving his roommates shut his door but didn't lock it. When they got back his computer, game cube and a lot of other valuble things were stolen. Well his roommates offered him $1600 (which was all they had) to replace it, but this kid wants MONEY and the full value of his stuff NEW. He wants $1800 for his computer, when it's only worth about $700 now, and he basically wants them to pay what he paid for everything, even though the stuff was a few years old. My main question is, what are his roommates responsible for legally? If this kid took his roommates to court, what would the judge think they are responsible for?
2006-09-14 15:55:26 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Why, it's Bush's fault of course!
2006-09-14 15:58:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Don't you people watch Judge Miliano on NBC? She has presided over a lot of these cases and I mean a LOT.
The room-mates would only be responsible for the value of the items at the time they were stolen. Beause he had already used them and deprieciated the value.
Any judge would say the same thing. He did not have new items stolen so why would he get new items back?? If the cops find his stuff they are not going to go replace it with something new before giving it back are they?
Tell your friend to take the $1600 and be glad he got anything from them. He could have had to take them to court. They are stepping up.
The judge might even rule in the room-mates favor to not pay anything back!! I have seen that happen in real life. A friend of mine who was robbed was found negligent by allowing people into his house while he was gone. He got NOTHING!!
So I say take the $1600. He can get a gamecube for $50 and a nice laptop for for under a grand. Then he can take it with him when he leaves. And maybe he should have not left his keys with the room-mates.
Hope this helps!!
2006-09-14 16:12:35 · answer #2 · answered by mbjwithouse 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i could call your roommate and tell her that it makes you sense style of uncomfortable having her boyfriend staying at your place all the time on an identical time as she's no longer there. If she says that she does not care, then there's no longer plenty you're able to do besides start up finding for a distinctive place or a distinctive roommate... in case you actual need to look after the subject, then you may checklist him as a trespasser. yet which would be an extremely bushy subject and could reason extra harm than good in all possibility... It relies upon on your roommate's boyfriend and his friends, are they risk-free? in case you think of you're in harm with those friends, then this is advisable to speak to a police officer and attempt to get some advice from him. in case your roommate says that she does not care approximately you being uncomfortable, then maybe a police officer could be keen to speak on your roommate on the subject of the situation. Or your landlord may well be waiting to assist additionally...
2016-12-18 10:31:00 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absence doesn't aleviate responsibility.
If the person didn't want his things taken (which is the chance he took each time he allowed the others to go into his room to use his stuff), then he should have made sure that NO ONE could get into his room - including his roommates.
Yes - the roommates were irresponsible, but the one that occupied the room allowed them in and out of his room, in essence, taking the chance that they might not lock the door, or even they might steal the stuff. And if the stuff was worth that much, did he have renter's insurance? If not, he is out a lot of money. . .
2006-09-14 16:03:28 · answer #4 · answered by volleyballchick (cowards block) 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the roommates are responsible for the fair market value of the stuff that was taken. also , the kid needs to make a reasonable effort to find the person who stole it. if he doesn't file a police report in a timely fashion the roommates are off the hook. but we all know who took the stuff. the roommates. so they shoald pay for new and better stuff instead of getting arrested.
2006-09-16 07:48:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the person who said that most likely the roommates would be found negligent by not locking the door. If so, then they would be liable for the actual (depreciated) value of the items, not the replacement value.
2006-09-14 18:32:55 · answer #6 · answered by deadwoodfan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a clear case of Breaking and Entering since they used the master key to get in. They were negligent in leaving the door unlocked. I think the roommates should try to replace the items as best as they can. computers are so much less expensive now, they may even be able to get him a better one.
2006-09-14 16:04:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
He should take the cash offered. Although it could be proven in court,as it sounds they admitted to leaving the door unlocked... stories will change in court...hard to prove. Always have renters insurance for replacement value is the REAL lesson here.
2006-09-14 16:01:09 · answer #8 · answered by onionheadinvancouver 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Legally they would be responsible for the full value of his things. Cause they didn't lock the door when they left.
2006-09-14 16:01:14 · answer #9 · answered by Egroeg_Rorepme 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
robbery in this case shouldn't be blamed upon anyone except the person who robbed them. if someone really wanted to rob them they could have even broke the window even if the door was unlocked. but no one can say that for sure.
2006-09-14 16:21:59 · answer #10 · answered by Sunny Rae 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋