Recently had a balcony apartment fire, they had to cut out a good portion of the balcony, and they think the little weber type of grill caused the fire however there is no evidence of it, grill is still how it was left, coals still black and the way they were left, the fire looked like it started on the other side. The grill was closed, anyways the apartment complex is trying to charge us for the damage which they estimate in the thousands, should I get an attorney?
2006-12-21 18:49:54 · 9 answers · asked by lcpunk69 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
take this to court, HOWEVER in your lease or the apartment rules, if anywhere in the rules it sayes you should not have a grill than you are in for a long haul even if the fire was not your fault.
2006-12-21 18:58:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I take it you don't have renters insurance? We never did until we moved to this apt complex because they allow grilling on balconies ( which normally is not, due to fires, lol) we didnt want to be SOL in case we started a fire or a neighbor did. Was the fire department called? They should have a report of what caused it if they did come out. If not it maybe your word against theirs since no one is an expert on the point of origin of fires. Attorneys are expensive and it can take a long time to settle this if that is the route you are going to go.... make sure it's worth it and you can prove it was not your fault. (but really, what else could it have been?)
2006-12-21 18:56:07 · answer #2 · answered by Me 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you were the cause of the fire, whether through negligence or accident, then you are responsible for the results. This includes the damage caused by the fire department. Had there been no fire then they would not have responded and there would have been no additional damage to the apartment. Had they not responded, then you might be liable for the cost of an entire building or maybe even several buildings had they burned. The fire department did you a great service by damaging your apartment in order to save the building. If you are unable to pay for the damages then you may have to consider bankruptcy. And now you know why people invest in fire extinguishers and liability insurance. WK
2016-05-23 13:58:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you should get an attorney if you feel that the apartment managers did not investigate the fire correctly. Say if there is an electrical outlet on the side that the fire did start at, and could have started it. You can also just call your local fire inspector to come out and investigate for you.
Having said that, the renter is responsible for any damage to an apartment. That even includes criminal activities, unless you can prove who did it. Unless it was damaged by people either working for, or contracted by the complex. Or due to a problem with the apartment itself, like wiring.
2006-12-21 19:03:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. The lease holders have your bond, so they can just refuse to give you this money.
2. They can refuse to fix it unless you pay.
3. Your remedy is to take them to court, or on in country there is a government department to help. But if you do this, and they get upset they may put you on a blacklist (legal in some countries, illegal in others, but always around) and maybe you will never get another property.
Try for a win win situation. For example, paying half.
Basically the situation sucks and there is little you can do about it without a big fight and lots of stress, which is just not worth it.
2006-12-21 19:10:10 · answer #5 · answered by flingebunt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should definitely get some sort of help. Just because the grill was there doesn't mean that's what caused it. They're probably just looking for someone quick to blame and saw you as the easy target. I though it was the landlord that had to pay for damages? They should have insurance on the building. Not sure of local laws or anything but I don't think you'd have to pay (certainly not ALL of it) even if if was your fault. It's their building, they should be paying for it.
2006-12-21 18:55:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The fire dept should have made a report on what they think caused the fire. I suggest you get a hold of that and go from there. This sounds like it may end up going to court.
2006-12-22 01:25:34 · answer #7 · answered by JC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if it looks like they are going to proceed with a court case then an attorney would be ur best bet. But to sue you for damages they would need evidence - unless they found themselves a "witness" which sometimes happens. I would suggest moving - ur neighbours don't seem friendly or caring or worthy
2006-12-21 18:56:31 · answer #8 · answered by Tequila Sheila SA 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check your contract. if it says that you are not allowed to have grills on you balcony then you may have a problem fighting it.
2006-12-21 19:01:19 · answer #9 · answered by sansa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋