Fire damage caused by visitor, who is responsible?
I am a resident manager. One of our tenant had a fire damage due to his family member's carelessness. His family member tried to cook chicken in the oven/stove and they did not know that there was a plastic container left on the bottom section of oven/stove. After couple minutes, that caused fire.
Tenants(2 adults and a child) moved in Aug. 2009. When they were moving in, they were in hurry. They wanted to move-in without cleaning and any preparation. They signed acknowledgement form says whatever the damage was their was not their responsible and took pictures of it. And about a 2~3 weeks later, 3 more adults came along and lived with them since without giving me any notice. Leasee, father, is not living with them, but mother, 3 adults and a child were living in one bedroom. All the utilites are paid by the landlord.
The son, who is not on the lease, is asking us to compensate the damage, mentally, phisycally and financially. Their mother is ill and her condition got worse after the fire.
Now they are living in at 2 BD, paid rent but not giving me the leae contract and asking to lower the rent. Otherwise they will sue us for misconduct of renting and damage.
I've been dealing with this people for 2 weeks.
I need some advice.
Thank you:(