If he door to my rental is damaged during a robbery, do I have to pay for the damages to the door?
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If he door to my rental is damaged during a robbery, do I have to pay for the damages to the door?
Or does my landlord have to pay?
Asked on June 21, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Alabama
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
A tenant is only responsible for damage caused by persons under his/her control--e.g. if the robber was a family member or had been a guest of yours (that's how he or she came to the building/complex), the landlord might, depending on the exact circumstances be able to hold you liable--but not otherwise. So if the robber was a third party not under your control, you are not liable (except if you signed a lease which specifically stated that you'd responsible for damage like this--if you did, that contractual acceptable of liability is enforceable).
So if the robber was a third party, the landlord would almost certainly have to pay. If the landlord knows who the robber was, the landlord can sue him/her.
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