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    TAA Long's Avatar
    TAA Long Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Dec 30, 2009, 05:01 PM
    Can a landlord charge for repairs from a fire
    We had a chimne fire and now the landlord is asking us to pay half for the fixing. They called their Ins. And found out that they would had to pay $1000.00 deductible. So then they didn't want to go that route. HELP please. Thank you Tara Long
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
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    #2

    Dec 30, 2009, 06:15 PM

    A lot depends on what caused the fire. If it was any neglience on your part, then he can hold you partially responsible.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #3

    Dec 30, 2009, 07:31 PM

    If you caused the fire or was even at part responsible of course they can make you pay.

    If you caused it, they can make you pay 100 percent of the cost,
    If you were only partial at fault then pay a part.
    excon's Avatar
    excon Posts: 21,482, Reputation: 2992
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    #4

    Jan 2, 2010, 08:46 AM

    Hello t:

    I agree with the Padre. Consistent with his advice, though, is the fact that if you're NOT responsible, then you don't have to pay a DIME.

    Not having been there, it would seem that unless you built a fire too big for the fireplace, you would NOT be responsible... However, I've never heard of that. What I HAVE heard of, is a fire starting in the chiminy due to cretasote (sp) buildup, and that would be a landlord responsibility - not YOURS.

    First you need to determine the CAUSE of the fire, and that should be available from the fire department... If it's what I suggested, even though I can't spell it, don't pay him anything.

    This problem, however, IS going to cause trouble with your tenancy, and you're probably going to have to move.. Certainly, you can't live there with a very angry landlord...

    But, first. Once you've determined that you are NOT responsible for the fire, write your landlord a certified letter telling him that you will not pay, and WHY, and that you will be seeking other lodging at your earliest convenience. Include a copy of the fire department's report.

    excon
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #5

    Jan 2, 2010, 09:34 AM

    Deends, if they have lived there for a while, routine maintenance of cleaning the chimmeny may well be the tennants duty, a lot will depend on what the lease says. Or if they were even suppose to be using it, or if it was gas unit and they burnt wood, or a coal unit and they burnt wood,
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