I have owned my house for 20 years. There is a storage unit behind my house. It was there before my house was built. Instead of a backyard fence, I have the storage units 11 foot wall for a fence. It is also the back wall of 3 or 4 storage units. I have plants and vines planted near the wall. Over the years when I have forgotten the hose running in the plants , sometimes the water would go into the storage units. Also when we get alot of rain,with our clay ground, the water just sits in the yard, and also goes into the storage units. Yesterday I forgot the water, and a couple of units water got in and caused some damage. I feel I'm on my own property, and the owner should have done something along time ago. He could have raised the floor in the units. I was careless, but I was on my property, and when I water, how do I know how much is too much? I think it was up to the owner to make sure it didn't happen again! He's had 20 years to do something. Who responsible? Me or him?
2007-05-01 07:02:42 · 4 answers · asked by Sunday 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Well I have no legal answer, you would have to ask an attorney that question- but it seems to me the storage units should not be able to let water in- if I were a customer and had my belongings in a unit, i would blame the owner of the unit if water could and did seep in, not the next door neighbor.
2007-05-01 07:11:51 · answer #1 · answered by kaisergirl 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately you are legally responsible because you were negligent. You cannot cause damage to someone else's property and leave it up to the property owner to take responsibility. If water gets into the storage units by natural acts such as rain or flooding then it is the owner's fault. Water entering the storage units because of your hose is your fault. The owner could sue, and win, a case for loss of property inside the storage units and damage to the units themselves. In order to protect yourself, you should be careful to make sure no water gets near those storage units from your hose or sprinklers. That way you can't be blamed for damage.
2007-05-01 14:24:55 · answer #2 · answered by rdavis61 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
check zoning regs for the property and contact a lawyer. go to www.findlaw.com and do some research.
2007-05-01 14:10:40 · answer #3 · answered by CCC 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that you would be the one held responsible when you left your water on, but if it becomes flooded because of a storm i don't think so. You may want to ask your lawyer.
2007-05-01 14:21:57 · answer #4 · answered by redmarc316 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋