Wisconsin--Landlord responsibility?

[nitzy]

I am in Wisconsin. We live in a multi family home and in the basement is our washer and dryer and our storage locker. The sewer backed up last week--I called the landlord who brought in a contractor to clear the drain(it was the sewer drain). Today it happened again only this time much worse(toilet paper, the whole bit)--it flooded our locker(no one elses though due to position) and flooded our washer and dryer. Our air conditioner was the only thing really ruined in the locker. I called our renters insurer who said our policy does not cover sewer back-ups. My question: does the landlord hold any reponsibility to our damaged things? He was aware of the problem and did not have it properly repaired. He even said when he was here that he used a different guy and would be calling in his "regular" guy. I would GREATLY appreciate any input.

 

[FarmerJ]

as long as your landlord can demonstrate that he/she is making reasonable effort to make a repair . Even though it was sewer back up I dont think you would be able to get very far with any claim of your landlord being responsible , its unfortunate that your insurer refuses to cover this for you perhaps you might consider looking for a new insurance co , your A/C unit can be taken in to a shop where they can clean it and see if it will still run , If it runs the acid wash they do on it will make it run more efficently any way this coming year , About your laundry equip , tilt it back and aim box fans blowing under into the washer for a couple of days to dry it out before attempting to use , the dryer remove the front lower access panel and do the same . Its possible if you ask the landlord to he/she might offer some money to help pay for having the a/c cleaned . this is just my opinion ( had a couple basement floods in the 90s ) BUt If you feel you would be better served consulting a lawyer to find out for sure . On the free advice home page click on find a lawyer it is on upper right and consult with a attorney

 

[macckkk]

Come on you actually Believe an insurance agent.....you are slow today.

READ your policy, sewer backups should be covered, but floods from the outside are not.

 

[nitzy]

No, I am not slow, nor am I an imbecile. My policy, which is obviously due for change, indeed does plainly state "We don't cover damage caused by back-up of sewers or drains or by backup or overflow from sump pump systems". The policy covers us only if our apartment's pipes are the culprit. If you have no geniune suggestions in regards to my predicament, please refrain from responding.

 

[FarmerJ]

look a little closer at policy , the reason I suggest this , how language defines the rental unit, or space they are insuring reason being If storage unit/ laundry area use is included in the lease as part of the area that you are responsible perhaps you may have a way to make them cover the loss . short of that you may find that you have to consult with a lawyer If its a so called grey area .

 

[macckkk]

If you had stated that before , then you could try and get the landlord homowners to cover the damage since it was the landlords fault for not rectifing the situation in the first palce.