Forum Home
PC World Chat
 
Thread ID: 122390 2011-12-19 05:17:00 Damage to a rental property hueybot3000 (3646) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1249521 2011-12-19 06:44:00 Called my insurance and my contents covers it as tenant liability so fingers crossed worst scenario is my 300 excess hueybot3000 (3646)
1249522 2011-12-19 06:49:00 It seems I pay a little extra for an excess of $100. So that's good :-) hueybot3000 (3646)
1249523 2011-12-19 07:16:00 Hi Huey... re: I don't think it falls under neglect as it is just one of those unlucky moments but time will tell

Wishful thinking there I'm afraid.
Scouse (83)
1249524 2011-12-19 10:57:00 Quick answers:

Yes, tenants are liable for damage caused to their landlords property. There was a case a few years ago where the tenants of a house were sued and possibly bankrupted.

Yes, landlords normally have insurance but that simply means someone else (the insurance company) pays the repair bill. The insurance company will try to recover that cost from any other person they believe is liable.

Yes, tenants can get liability cover - and it sounds as though you are ok thank goodness.

Yes, this is a case of negligence. Sparks from grinding are visible and a predictable consequence of the act of using a grinder. Hard to think of any more clear cut case of negligence. Mind you, done it myself. :D
Winston001 (3612)
1249525 2011-12-19 11:28:00 Hmm so it seems the way things may go is the owners insurance will pay for repairs etc then pass the bill to mine. So I'll be paying 2 excesses? Lucky me! Both myself and the owners are insured with AMI, not sure if that makes a difference.

Here are a couple pics of the damage, it's not bad considering but the heat has buckled the roof and the tin is mostly stuffed.

Attached file: PC190001.JPG (www.imagef1.net.nz) (226 KB)
Attached file: PC190002.JPG (www.imagef1.net.nz) (198 KB)
Attached file: PC190003.JPG (www.imagef1.net.nz) (134 KB)
Attached file: PC190004.JPG (www.imagef1.net.nz) (178 KB)

More about what happened. Was grinding on the fence side of the garage, old bed base was leaning against the opposite wall. By the time I smelt it, it was going. I ran outside to grab the hose, in doing so I tore the attachment off the tap so that stuffed that idea. Grabbed the base (and somehow didnt burn myself) and threw it on the lawn but by that time the building paper on the wall had gone up and continued around the rood. The wood you see on the lawn was up in the roof and got a good burn going as well. Amazing how quickly it happened. Definitely an eye opener.

The fire brigade were awesome, real nice guys who went through everything very thoroughly. One of them even gave me a smoke! Mine were in the garage so were no good. I am yet to find my phone but guessing its gone as it goes straight to voicemail.

I feel a bit stupid but at the same time I had moved the bed away from my work area and it hadn't been a problem for the last 4-5months. Bad luck I guess
hueybot3000 (3646)
1249526 2011-12-19 17:39:00 What happens is your contents covers it.
If yu don't have contents, the landlords insurance pays him and chases you for the money back.

Happened to some young guys in Dunedin a while ago - burned the house down, they got done by landlords insurance and had the cost of the house split between them and have to pay it off for a very long time.

And renters reading who don't have contents insurance - get some.
pctek (84)
1249527 2011-12-19 19:36:00 Great pity about the fire. Looks like it was a nice garage/workshop. Scouse (83)
1249528 2011-12-19 20:46:00 I am glad you have contents insurance. Some insurers include tenants liability within the cover, others have an added optional clause for that. Obviously it was accidental. Malicious damage is a whole new scenario. Marnie (4574)
1249529 2011-12-20 00:49:00 I went into AMI to make my claim this morning. They said that even their most basic cover for contents includes liability up to $1m. So that's good to know hueybot3000 (3646)
1249530 2011-12-20 01:08:00 $1M eh. Looks like that should cover most of it, you will probably only be left with the electricians bill. The council fees will take most of the dosh. ;)

Best part is that no Hueybots or derivatives were damaged in making this smoke.
R2x1 (4628)
1 2 3