I dont have renters insurance but the landlord had insurance for his property. Am i entitled to get any type of compensation?? He did not have smoke detectors in the property. any help, ??
2006-12-07 13:22:32 · 16 answers · asked by rafastella 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Insurance
the fire was believed to be started in one of the bedrooms. one of the outlets was completely torched. Not my fault.
2006-12-07 13:55:50 · update #1
No smoke detectors? As far as I know, that's illegal. Check with a lawyer.. he should be able to tell you what your next step is, and what kind of compensation you could be getting.
2006-12-07 13:24:18 · answer #1 · answered by Paige 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You absolutely need to see a lawyer about this. Even though you did not have renter's insurance, the landlord "warranted" the premises safe for you. However there is evidence that the property wasn't safe - "Could smoke detectors have prevented any damage?" Furthermore, you don't say what caused the fire. If you did, you might be SOL - but if the fire was caused by something the landlord should have done, remedied, controlled, or kept an eye on - then you have the right to file with his insurance too. Get a laywer. Get a lawyer. Get a lawyer - why don't people get lawyers?!
2006-12-07 21:27:01 · answer #2 · answered by Another Garcia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am really sorry for your loss but without renters insurance I think you are out of luck. The landlords policy only covers damage to the home. With regards to the smoke detectors there may be some code violation but in all fairness to the landlord does that really make him responsible? You knew there were no smoke detectors and you chose not to spend $10 on one to protect your home. With all due respect I think the liability rests with you
2006-12-07 21:32:37 · answer #3 · answered by mamatohaley+1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not having smoke detectors in a rental is illegal, at least in my state. Your best bet is to contact a lawyer and see where to go from there. If it wasn't for the lack of smoke dectectors, though, you would be entitled to no compensations. The insurance that the landlord has only covers the house itself, not your property.
2006-12-07 21:26:46 · answer #4 · answered by Sunshyneee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO, you will not be compensated for your stuff since you got no "renters policy". Your landlord will be compensated beacuse he/she got a "dwelling policy" to protect the property premises.
Regarding the fire detectors, usually the local fire and police department will determine if your landlord is required to have this devise installed in each dwelling units. If required, the landlord will be liable with the building codes but not necessarily to you.
2006-12-08 01:17:49 · answer #5 · answered by cece c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not entitled to any kind of compensation. You should have gotten renter's insurance. It covers your contents in the building. The smoke detector issue will be determined by local fire codes. If where you live have none, he probably wasn't required to have any.
2006-12-07 21:26:32 · answer #6 · answered by The Doctor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
CHECK YOUR LEASE. MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT THE RENTER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENTS. THE LANDLORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BUILDING.
RE: SMOKE DETECTORS THEY WON'T PREVENT A FIRE BUT WILL GIVE YOU WARNING WHEN THERE ARE PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION IN THE AIR THAT WILL SET OFF A SMOKE DETECTOR SO YOU CAN GET OUT OF A BUILDING BEFORE IT REACHES A LEVEL WHERE IT IS LIFE THREATENING. ONCE AGAIN REGARDING YOUR LEASE THE LANDLORD MAY ONLY BE REQUIRED TO HAVE DETECTORS IN THE HALLWAY BUT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO INSTALL THEM YOURSELF IN YOUR APT.. THE FIRE DEPT I WORK FOR WILL COME OUT AND INSTALL DETECTORS FOR PEOPLE. CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL FIRE DEPT TO SEE IF THEY WILL DO THE SAME.
SOMETHING ELSE TO THINK ABOUT IS THAT HOW DID THE FIRE START ? WAS IT YOUR FAULT? WAS IT ANOTHER RENTER? OR WAS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE BUILDING?
IF IT WASN'T YOUR FAULT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY YOU COULD GET THEM TO PAY FOR YOUR LOSSES.
GOOD LUCK.
2006-12-07 21:42:22 · answer #7 · answered by LARRY 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without a tennants package (insurance) you're kind of out of luck. Contact your local housing department and find out if the smoke detectors were the landlords responsibility. You might be able to sue for something there. His insurance is probably void with out the detectors.
2006-12-07 21:28:28 · answer #8 · answered by nvr10pts 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope...you are out of luck....But you may be able to sue him for not having smoke detectors in the house.....if there is a city or county ordinance requiring rental property to have them.
Next time get rental ins.....it's real cheap for a year coverage....sometime under 150 bucks.
2006-12-07 21:31:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you aren't. Your recourse would be your renters policy, if you had one, which you don't. His building policy will pay his building loss. Landlords CAN'T insure tenants' property.
I hope you buy a renters policy next time!
2006-12-07 22:13:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋