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My basement apartment in brooklyn flooded two days ago, damaging a great deal of my belongings (I was up to my knees in water). My lanlord, not very sympathetic, came over and offered me another basement apartment he rents out, which is bigger than mine but in a worse neighborhood. I, frustrated, took it because i really have no one to stay here with in New York, and I wanted to get the things that were actually still useable out of the filthy apartment. I want to find a new place and move out, but i feel like i should be compensated. I took pictures of everything. Do I, as a tenant, have any rights when it comes to this situation?

2007-08-09 10:22:07 · 7 answers · asked by Sunflower 1 in Business & Finance Renting & Real Estate

7 answers

If you are a renter then you should have renter insurance to cover your personal belongings. Call them first, also he should have some type of insurance. If the flood was caused by faulty water pipes then I would say that his insurance should cover your loss. I would definitely contact an attorney that specializes in cases involving renters. Sorry for your bad luck. I hope the best for you.

2007-08-09 10:28:03 · answer #1 · answered by to_sassy4_u 5 · 5 0

Technically, you can't really be compensated for your damaged property unless you had them insured. And since landlords are not in the business of insuring personal items you own, there is very little you can do except start looking for a new unit and start from scratch, sorry.

The only way you could get any kind of compensation is if you have proof that your landlord was not taking good care of the premises, which could cause dangers to your personal health (such as weak support beams.)

2007-08-09 10:27:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

The owner of the property's insurance does not cover your contents. You can sue the owner for negligence if you can prove you notified them in the past their basement leaked or posed a flood risk. If the owner didn't do anything about it or ignored your past requests to fix the problem you might have a case. If you made no such attempts probably not. If the owner knew about the issue they still might be held liable for your stuff.

2007-08-09 11:02:40 · answer #3 · answered by MikeN7 2 · 0 0

The landlord and/or owner of a building that leases living space to tenants is in no way liable for the contents of that space. Period. It is this way in all 50 states.

That is why there is something called "Renter's Insurance."

2007-08-09 10:50:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

You should file a claim with your renter's insurance. Your landlord is not responsible for damages to your belongings.

Your renter's insurance might not cover it since it was a flood due to an act of God.

2007-08-09 10:28:19 · answer #5 · answered by bdancer222 7 · 1 0

Renters insurance is a wonderful thing...if you do not have any you could take him to small claims court but...doubtful and costly...what flooded...rain or a broken pipe could make a difference...contact a lawer.

2007-08-09 10:32:23 · answer #6 · answered by gr8ful_one 6 · 0 0

you can be compensated if you had Renters Insurance.
call your insurance company and process the claim.

good luck :)

2007-08-09 12:16:58 · answer #7 · answered by Blue October 6 · 0 0

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