What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Iowa
We have been renting out an old trailer to a person who decided to go work out of state for about eight months. It was all good. He paid the rent, which was minimal, but enough to pay for the small mortgage we had on the land and the taxes.
Fast forward to this morning. He came back from out of state and found that everything inside was coated in mold.
Although we had entered the property for something unrelated, we didn't notice anything wrong. We had no cause to go in and regularly check the property.
The cost to mitigate the mold damage will far exceed the cost of the trailer. So, we're out rent income to pay for the mortgage and taxes and additionally have no property to rent in the future.
Is this his fault for leaving it vacant or our fault for allowing it? Is he responsible for the cost of the trailer?
I know if a renter goes away in the winter and as a result the pipes burst and there is damage, they'd be liable. Is this the same sort of scenario?
We have been renting out an old trailer to a person who decided to go work out of state for about eight months. It was all good. He paid the rent, which was minimal, but enough to pay for the small mortgage we had on the land and the taxes.
Fast forward to this morning. He came back from out of state and found that everything inside was coated in mold.
Although we had entered the property for something unrelated, we didn't notice anything wrong. We had no cause to go in and regularly check the property.
The cost to mitigate the mold damage will far exceed the cost of the trailer. So, we're out rent income to pay for the mortgage and taxes and additionally have no property to rent in the future.
Is this his fault for leaving it vacant or our fault for allowing it? Is he responsible for the cost of the trailer?
I know if a renter goes away in the winter and as a result the pipes burst and there is damage, they'd be liable. Is this the same sort of scenario?