Who Pays for Fire Damage to a Rental Property?

5/9/2020 (Permalink)

Apartment fire in Fergus Falls, MN

Who Pays for Fire Damage to a Rental Property

As a building owner who has experienced the unfortunate event of an apartment fire, you may be wondering what types of damage you are responsible for. Depending on the item, you and your tenants may each be responsible for different kinds of losses. You should always check your insurance policy and tenant lease agreement, but there are some general guidelines that are standard between tenants and owners.

Structural Damage
A landlord is required to keep units habitable and ensures this by making sure that the unit is safe, clean, and livable. After a disaster, the apartment may have sustained fire damage that makes it unsafe or undesirable to occupy. As a result, the building owner is generally responsible for any damage that relates to the structure of the apartment. If it is part of the unit or was there before the tenant moved in, it is probably your responsibility to have it fixed. There are common structural items that may be damaged in a fire:

• Carpet
• Drywall
• Kitchen appliances
• Kitchen cabinets
• Doors
• Windows
  

Smoke damage can also occur during a fire, making the unit unsuitable to occupy. It is the owner's responsibility to ensure the odors are removed after an apartment fire.

Content Damage
The renter is responsible for costs associated with content damage. Most tenants have renter's insurance, which may cover the majority of the loss. Contents can be thought of as anything the tenants brought with them. If it wasn't already there, they are responsible for repairing or replacing the items. These are usually personal items including clothing, furniture, jewelry, artwork, and electronics.
Damage from an apartment fire can feel overwhelming but understanding what you're responsible for can help mitigate the stress. If you have experienced damage in Fergus Falls, MN, a professional remediation company can help restore your unit, remove odors, provide a safe environment for your tenants, and put you back in business.