Dividing Responsibilities: Who Pays for Damages in an Apartment Fire?

10/31/2021 (Permalink)

Apartment fire in Lynchburg, TX.

Who Pays for Damages in an Apartment Fire

Commercial property that has both an owner and a renter should have clear documentation as to each party’s responsibilities. For example, in the lease agreement, it is standard to denote who is responsible for utilities and damages. When there is an apartment fire in Lynchburg, TX, this differentiation becomes even more important. What part of the fire damage is the responsibility of the owner, and what part is the responsibility of the tenant?

Owner Responsibilities

After a fire in an apartment building, the owner needs to take stock of the structural damage. There are several elements to consider in this list:

• The building itself
  
• Other structures on the property, such as a storage shed or pool
  
• Internal structures, such as staircases, countertops or walls
  
• Appliances or fixtures provided by management, such as refrigerators or bathtubs
  
  

Fire mitigation experts can assist with detailing all the structural damage done to the property during the apartment fire. All damage or debris should remain undisturbed until professionals can assess the extent of the fire damage.

Tenant Responsibilities

All the personal belongings within the unit are the responsibility of the tenants. They should contact their insurance company to get an appraisal of how much their renter’s insurance may pay on the damage. If tenants don’t have renter’s insurance, they are likely to have to pay out of pocket to replace anything lost in the fire. If investigation proves that the fire was the renters’ fault, they may also be liable for the damage caused to the property. An investigation that indicates the owner is at fault, however, may result in a settlement offer to the tenants.

If your commercial property in Lynchburg, TX, is a rental unit, dividing responsibilities after a fire may be tricky. Rely on restoration professionals and insurance adjusters to help sort out the details of who pays for what after a fire.