Negligent Tenant caused property damage St. Cloud MN

[SCSURaynmann]

One of my tenants left for Christmas break from school and left a window open. This resulted in the radiator in her room to freeze and crack spilling some boiler water on her floor. The freeze up caused a stoppage in flow to the entire upstairs of the house, but more importantly to the piping leading to her radiator. The supply and return lines run down to the basement along an outside wall. The stoppage of flow allowed the water in these pipes to freeze as well, causing one of them to rupture sending water into a basement rental. The carpet and ceiling tiles were damaged and her radiator was a total loss. Does anyone think that this would stand up in small claims court? The plumbers who made the repairs are willing to testify if needed. I took pictures of the damage and repairs made. I would like to sue the tenant if she is unwilling to pay for the damages informally. This would include damages to the basement room repairing carpeting, ceiling tiles, and if the walls were damaged by the water any sheetrock and finishing supplies.

Any suggestions?

Ray

 

[HomeGuru]

File a claim with your insurance company and whatever the insurance does not pay file suit against T.

[Edited by HomeGuru on 12-29-2000 at 01:21 AM]

 

[SCSURaynmann]

Thanks for the advice I believe that is what the plan will be.

 

[HomeGuru]

Keep in mind that if the insurance company pays the claim, you may have to go after the tenant for the amount that the insurance company paid out.