What is the name of your state? Washington State
First, this is what happened. My mother-in-law (not a tenant) was cooking in the kitchen and a grease fire broke out. Basically, it burnt part of the stove, burnt the ventilation system above the stove, the cardboards around it and had smoke damage around the kitchen, however, there was no structural damage to the building.
Basically, I know I am going to be liable for it, but I was more concerned about the note the apartment manager left me. This is what he left me on March 31st:
You are responsible for the damages caused by the fire to you apartment. We have taken photographs and estimate this to be in excess of $3,000. Please contact me by Monday, April 3rd with a detailed plan of how you will pay for the damages; otherwise you will be required to vacate the premises by Wednesday, April 5th. Please contact me or stop by the office on Monday, April 3rd.
So my first question is regarding the requirement of vacating the premises by April 5th. To me it seems slightly unreasonable to force me to 'vacate the premises' in 5 days regardless if I can come up with a detail payment plan. I was just wondering if the manager actually had a legal right to evict me within that time period.
My next question was about the estimate of damages. Do they have to show me any kind of proof of how much it is going to cost? If so, should I request to see some before I start arranging a payment plan? Also, if anyone could offer any advice it would be appreciated. And if anymore information is needed, let me know.
Wasn't sure where the best place to post this was, so I also posted it in the Landlord/tenant forums.
First, this is what happened. My mother-in-law (not a tenant) was cooking in the kitchen and a grease fire broke out. Basically, it burnt part of the stove, burnt the ventilation system above the stove, the cardboards around it and had smoke damage around the kitchen, however, there was no structural damage to the building.
Basically, I know I am going to be liable for it, but I was more concerned about the note the apartment manager left me. This is what he left me on March 31st:
You are responsible for the damages caused by the fire to you apartment. We have taken photographs and estimate this to be in excess of $3,000. Please contact me by Monday, April 3rd with a detailed plan of how you will pay for the damages; otherwise you will be required to vacate the premises by Wednesday, April 5th. Please contact me or stop by the office on Monday, April 3rd.
So my first question is regarding the requirement of vacating the premises by April 5th. To me it seems slightly unreasonable to force me to 'vacate the premises' in 5 days regardless if I can come up with a detail payment plan. I was just wondering if the manager actually had a legal right to evict me within that time period.
My next question was about the estimate of damages. Do they have to show me any kind of proof of how much it is going to cost? If so, should I request to see some before I start arranging a payment plan? Also, if anyone could offer any advice it would be appreciated. And if anymore information is needed, let me know.
Wasn't sure where the best place to post this was, so I also posted it in the Landlord/tenant forums.
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