Am I responsible for visitors to my house?

Question

I have a 14 yo foster daughter. One night she had friends over - I went to bed around 11 but when I got up at 6am they were still here. I got angry and I threw them out.

They evidently hit my neighbor's car when they were leaving (neighbors called policee to take report - police questioned me & my kid and that was it. I don't know anything about the boys nor does my kid. So it's not like we can find them.

Am I responsible? The neighbors have approached me for the $500 deductible.

I am inclined to pay them the money and tell them to stay away from me & mine for the duration of their tenancy. (I own my home, they rent next door.) It pisses me off that they left a handwritten note on my front door to say they needed the names & any other info or they will have to go about it the "legal way" - my initial reaction was "So sue me, dummy!" But I'm trying to be grown-up and fair - besides I don't need the $ as much as they obviously do - or they would have come to me face-to-face!

I decided to write them a check - I will take it out of my foster kid's a**! Just FYI, NO! they do NOT drink while over here - I prefer that they are here in the house, rather than "running the streets" - they surf the Internet and listen to their loud crappy music but it's better this way. Yes, my kid knows more than she's telling & I admire her loyalty. It's NOT fear or dishonesty - besides I think she may have seen the whole thing - yes it was on my property - the driveways are parallel. This outcome is ok with me, I won't be paying an allowance for a while! Lots of lessons will be learned & the neighbors will also learn - NOT to threaten me ever. I am going to tell them to drop dead after this! No I'm kidding! But I didn't like them from the get-go anyway! They're rude and unsociable! And have a filthy yard!

I meant to add that I am in the next room to them - they eat pizza, bake cookies and brownies, surf MySpace, sing and listen to music, and watch movies and videos. But, they are supposed to be gone by 12 (during the summer time only though or unless they've arranged it with me & their parents first) - there have been times when (not these particular ones involved in this) parents drop their kids off over here and pick them up the next day - they know I'm right on top of the kids and I'm "cool" with the kids so they like being here rather than taking their chances out "there" - they talk to me about being scared of being shot or being around druggies and dealers. They say "It's not that kind of party" - Sex is the furthest thing from their minds - they love to make "mix tapes" & "raps" instead. So if you think I'm wrong allowing them to be here, you are terribly out-of-touch and thoughtless!

Answer 1

Technically you are not responsible. However as one person pointed out, it may be a good idea to pay the deductible and perhaps take a portion of it out of your daughter's allowance. For the sake of peace this may be the best option. As I said, by law you cannot be held accountable unless your daughter can be determined to be the actual driver. But you do need to consider that you will be neighbors with these folks for who knows how long. Also your daughter may learn a powerful lesson about being responsible and how things can come back and bite you.

Answer 2

If the vehicle they were driving was not yours, it did not occur on your property and your child was not involved - then you are not liable.

Were the minors drinking adult beverages while at your home (with or with out your permission)? - This changes things and now you could be responsible.

I would get as much information about the boys as you can from your daughter and give that to the neighbor. Then the neighbor will go after the boys. If your daughter does not want to give up her friends - then let her pay the neighbors -she can cut grass/clean the house etc to earn money. This way, she learns that if she wants to protect her friends - then she bears the financial consequence of it. (I tend to believe that if they spent the whole night at your home - she does know how to get in touch with them directly or they are friends of friends and she can give the neighbors the name of the friend she knows).

You've probably already thought of this but I'll say it anyway - no offense intended - Next time- when you go to bed at 11:00 pm - throw them out then. There is nothing but no good going to be going on between 14 yo boys and girls after 11:00 pm when all adults are in bed. Heavens, the last thing you need is one of these boys being your daughters "baby daddy".

Answer 3

the easy answer...definite you're to blame for what your travellers do to the place of residing. you're additionally to blame for fixing issues that wreck through them. Your landlady might have made you pay for the damages till you filed a declare against your ex wherein case a in shape could desire to be filed. She can not stress you into cleansing those apartments however, it may desire to be an settlement between the two certainly one of you in lieu of money changing palms. you need to think of of having insurance on your place as this might conceal any destiny matters at the same time with this.

Answer 4

They stayed in your house all night and your daughter doesn't even know their phone number?

You should pay the deductible since your daughter isn't willing to "give up" her friends.

Answer 5

I wouldn't think you should be. Were they parked on the street for them to hit their car? Not like it was in your driveway. I don't think I'd pay.

Answer 6

no you are not responsible @ all!!!! you may provide the names of the "guys" that is as far as you hjave to go---show co-operation, but you are in no way responsible for that occurance--they will have to persue the fellows that actually hit the car!!!! PERIOD!--DO NOT GIVE THEM A DOLLAR!!

Answer 7

...In most cases (I'm not sure what State you're in)... you have a fiduciary responsibility for your guests... simply said, "yes".

Answer 8

yep

Answer 9

if it was your child yes but they were guest who left so no not technically but they don't

Answer 10

ys