Who's responsible for what?

[JenniSam]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

I have a rental property that was broken into while the tenant was away for the holiday. The copper pipes were stolen. I have filed a claim with my insurance company to fix the damages. However, they cannot send a claims adjuster out until Tuesday. I asked about my policy and was told that I am reimbursed for any lost rent while the . But if I understand Michigan law correctly, no water makes the house uninhabitable and habitability is the landlords responsibility, correct? So am I resonsible for providing the tenant with a place to stay until the issue is resolved? The insurance company also claims that any costs for alternate living arrangements should be handled by the tenants renters insurance. Is that correct if I am responsible for the pipes? I always thought that the landlord would be on the hook to put the tenant in a hotel when the responsibility to fix the problem is the landlords. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

JenniSam

 

[TigerD]

What does your lease say?

DC

 

[JenniSam]

My lease says that I am responsible for repairs and to insure the home is inhabitable. It does not address who would be responsible for the tenants living arrangement while I have repairs done. it does say that I strongly suggest the tenant obtain renters insurance.

 

[BL]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

I have a rental property that was broken into while the tenant was away for the holiday. The copper pipes were stolen. I have filed a claim with my insurance company to fix the damages. However, they cannot send a claims adjuster out until Tuesday. I asked about my policy and was told that I am reimbursed for any lost rent while the . But if I understand Michigan law correctly, no water makes the house uninhabitable and habitability is the landlords responsibility, correct? So am I resonsible for providing the tenant with a place to stay until the issue is resolved? The insurance company also claims that any costs for alternate living arrangements should be handled by the tenants renters insurance. Is that correct if I am responsible for the pipes? I always thought that the landlord would be on the hook to put the tenant in a hotel when the responsibility to fix the problem is the landlords. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

JenniSam

Do the tenant's have renter's insurance ?

Have you spoken to them ?

If they have renter's ins. and it covers it , they should put in a claim, but meanwhile you are responsible to provide a habitual rental.

If the tenant has no renter's ins. , or it doesn't cover this , then it would fall on you anyways.

So is your ins. Co. saying they will not cover alternative living ?

 

[JenniSam]

The renter does not have renters insurance. My insurance company says they will reimburse for my lost rent but not for the tenants alternate living arrangements. Its my first claim ever after being a landlord for 5 years. Just wondering what the norm is or what others have experienced.

Thanks!

 

[Just Blue]

The renter does not have renters insurance. My insurance company says they will reimburse for my lost rent but not for the tenants alternate living arrangements. Its my first claim ever after being a landlord for 5 years. Just wondering what the norm is or what others have experienced.

Thanks!

Did the renter have stolen items? IE...TV, computers, jewels...you know...stuff?

 

[Just Blue]

Px Hx may be of interest.

 

[JenniSam]

That was my first question as well. The lease was executed 2 weeks ago and with his holiday plans he had not moved in yet. However when he planned to start today, he discovered the break in. Questionable, but this is the story I was told. I'm interested in what the police report will actually say as well.

 

[Just Blue]

That was my first question as well. The lease was executed 2 weeks ago and with his holiday plans he had not moved in yet. However when he planned to start today, he discovered the break in. Questionable, but this is the story I was told. I'm interested in what the police report will actually say as well.

So...this thread from 6 months ago :

https://forum.freeadvice.com/landlord-tenant-issues-42/water-billing-issue-597085.html

Has nothing to do with the current issue?

 

[JenniSam]

Correct, the water billing issue is unrelated to this break-in and a different issue. All signs point to a faulty meter on the water billing issue as things returned to normal when the city replaced the meter.

This issue with the break-in is a new house just acquired and rented out this month.

 

[Just Blue]

Correct, the water billing issue is unrelated to this break-in and a different issue. All signs point to a faulty meter on the water billing issue as things returned to normal when the city replaced the meter.

This issue with the break-in is a new house just acquired and rented out this month.

Seems to be a curious thing for a bad person to do...after all if s/he had just wait a bit more bad person could have profited more than water pipes. Interesting.

 

[FarmerJ]

Unless your state laws say you are obligated to pay for or supply alternate housing then id say NO dont offer anything more than prorating a credit for the next months the rent to cover the days the unit was not habitable and unless your local codes mandate copper then have the plumber install pex (plastic lines) .