Is my landlord responsible for damage to my property?

Question

My landlord's responsibility includes maintaining our propery. This includes taking care of the snow after it falls. After our recent snow storm, his son came and plowed out our driveway. He didn't shovel the walkway or the sidewalk. My roommates and I did this. Nor did he lay down any rock salt or sand. The next morning it was like a sheet of ice getting to my car. As I backed out our driveway, my car scraped along ices blocks that had formed at the end of our driveway. After informing my landlord of this he did break down some of the ice to get in and out of the driveway, but practically did the bare minimum. He did not put down any sand until 2 days after the storm. Later on I noticed that my bumper now has a crack in it. I am positive that it is from the ice that was not cleared. Is my landlord responsible for this? It seems as though his lack of maintenance is the reason my car is now damaged. I'm looking at $500 of repairs, the cost of my rent. Is he responsible or am I?

Answer 1

It's your car, if you hit something, its your fault. Your landlord plowed the driveway, and put down sand. He fulfilled his duty. You will not be able to sue him for the money to your car, if you try, he will probably evict you.

If a tenant tried to sue me for them damaging their car, they would be on the street in a heartbeat. If you are planing on trying to collect, I hope you have always paid your rent on time, and have not done a single bit of damage to the apartment.

Answer 2

You do not say what your age is nor does snow removal cover anything except the abilty to get to a main road in a lease.

The assumption is made that you, a friend, a kid in the neighborhood or someone in your family is able to figure out how to care for your vehicle or take care of the walkway. The court will look at it as there is no way to prove anything either way. It would actually cost you more money to press it. If is was so icy and snowy how was he able to take care of it?

If you are an elderly woman who has kind of lost her wits (you are driving so not the case) you might be able to work it out. But for most...... they will question why you could not actually pick up a shovel or get a kid to do it. If you are are a male..... give up getting any money if you are under say 70.

Looked at your other questions....... You have a mold problem, just doing month to month (no rights at all), boyfriend which could be classified as a resident, the landlord just comes in (doubtfull and the usual complaint when people are desperate) etc. etc. Muliple roomates that you have as well.

Back to snow...... men go out and shovel a bit to take care of their women. I suppose with to much late night partying he wouldn't do so. Yes it sounds mean but people who have normal lives and have others who care.... this would be an easy thing to work out. Look around and realize that this is all crap and that you need to leave because if you were looking like upstanding people, appeared intelligent the landlord would never try whatever is happening. As it is you look like people trying to get something for nothing.

Answer 3

First off you need to really read your lease and see what is says about the landlord duties. I know most leases say that the landlord is responsible for snow REMOVAL, which it sounds like your landlord did.

As far as trying to get the cost of repairs for your car from your landlord, well that's really not going to happen. First off you have to be able to prove that the damage is the fault of your landlord and you'd never be able to do that.

And I have never had a landlord that put salt down in my driveway, if I wanted it salted I did it myself. Much easier that way. So who would you try to sue if you owned that house that you're living in??

Answer 4

You stated he plowed out the driveway. He made it possible for your car to get in and out. No he is not responsible for your car. You are. The "ice blocks" you are referring to was probably caused by the city plowing your road and pushed back into your drive. Surely you noticed this and heard the plow come through. Call your insurance company. But $500 for a crack? Sounds to me like they want to replace the whole bumper (which a crack doesnt warrent) I wouldnt even call them. Thats something that can happen in winter time. Next time pay attention.

Answer 5

Good luck collecting on that one. We live in such a society that our first thought is to blame others.

Didn't you check to make sure the driveway was clear before you back out your car?

I doubt you can show your landloard was negligent. Do you have pcitures? THe best you can do is go to small claims court. O doubt any Lawyer woudl take your case for $500.00 since most charge $250.00 per hour.

Answer 6

YOU MUST BE KIDDING!