I estimated the value at about $65 (very reasonable) for the food that spoiled when my fridge broke. They have replaced the fridge but I cannot just throw $65 worth of food away like that. I have politely asked my landlord to let me deduct it from this month's rent and we'll call it even. She told me to send her the list of what was thrown away and she would check with her insurance company to see how to handle it. Is she stalling? Shouldnt she already know how to handle this? Am I going to lose $65 bucks? Advice please!
2006-10-31 06:42:50 · 9 answers · asked by spkthetruth6 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
The fridge broke while I was at work. I went out to dinner and got home at 8:30 pm to find defrosted and smelly. Called the landlord right away. Saved what I could. Fridge was only 2 years old and made no funny sounds prior to breaking. I think I will just send her the list and hope for the best. I do not have renters insurance-cant afford it.
2006-11-01 01:20:44 · update #1
It sounds like she's making an effort to help you. This would be the type of loss covered under insurance. She is just making sure she does it by the book.
I would want to see a list of items, also. There's too much fraud out there to trust anyone, even if you are one of the good ones!
If they did not provide another place to store your food, I'd think they need to pay for it. It's just like replacing a painting damaged by a water leak.
2006-10-31 06:46:37 · answer #1 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think she is stalling. She sounds like she's trying to do what she can for you. However, the fridge is generally a covered item under the owner's insurance but NOT the food. That's what renter's insurance is for and it's super cheap for a healthy amount of coverage.
How long was your refrigerator on the fritz before you called the landlord? How long did it take them to get a replacement fridge? If the refrigerator was acting up for a couple of days before you called, I can't really feel sorry for you. Sometimes, it can take up to 24 hours for a refrigerator to be delivered to a home so I can see where that would take time. If they did it within this time frame, they still did what they could for you. Keep a cooler around just in case. Many people will choose to let all that food rot as opposed to being proactive and trying to find a way to save it. If one of my residents took that step forward, I would pay for that cooler because it reduces a lot of headaches in the long run.
Long story short, it doesn't sound like she's doing any thing wrong and you will be VERY lucky if you get that $65 back. It won't hurt to gather the list and take it to her though. You never know.
2006-10-31 22:11:48 · answer #2 · answered by LpYrBby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She may/may not be liable. Depending on your state laws you're required to have renters insurance to cover your personal items. Did you notify her that the fridge was going out. This should of been obvious for several weeks before it actually went out. If she's willing to reimburse you for your loss you're better off. Filing a claim would cause her insurance rates to go up for the next 3 yrs which I'm sure she doesn't want, vs your $65 loss. Try to work something out with her, compromise.
2006-10-31 14:54:55 · answer #3 · answered by Betty Boop 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably not their responsibility, which means their insurance isn't going to pay it, either.
Read the lease. If you can't clearly see where the landlord is responsible for the contents of the refrigerator, even if they are renting that to you as well, they aren't responsible for it.
What they are renting you is the dwelling. You're probably entitled to an abatement of the rent if it becomes uninhabitable (like the roof caves in or it floods), but a faulty refrigerator is an inconvenience, it doesn't make the place uninhabitable.
I don't think they're responsible, if she offers to pay half, take it and be grateful.
2006-10-31 14:52:57 · answer #4 · answered by open4one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the roof leaks and your couch gets wet and is ruined, I don't think they are liable to give you a new couch (unless they refuse to make or delay the repairs). That is what "Renter's Insurance" is for.
Unless you are (a) carrying renter's insurance and (b) want to make a $65 claim on it, I think you are out the $65.
Then again, I does not hurt to ask your landlord.
2006-10-31 14:50:09 · answer #5 · answered by Wundt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The company that made the fridge is responsible. Did the landlord furnish the fridge? If so, she will probably have to deal with them. If the fridge is old and worn out, the the landlord should be responsibly if it came with the apartment .
2006-10-31 18:43:47 · answer #6 · answered by pattypat999 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of that depends on the landlord-tenant laws your state has (if any.) This sounds like one of those gray areas that would probably be covered under renter's insurance (like homeowner's insurance, only for renters.)
2006-10-31 14:46:09 · answer #7 · answered by PaulieB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know this is a very unusual situation...your landlord is probably right, and at least they replaced the fridge. But they should be liable to compensate for the food if they provided the fridge.
2006-10-31 14:45:59 · answer #8 · answered by true 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have renter's insurance? That covers it. Do that if the landlord doesn't like your list.
2006-10-31 15:04:55 · answer #9 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋