Tenant catches stove on fire then wants us to get another one.

[Joe S.]

We have a property that’s being managed by a PM and has a tenant that wants another stove. We placed a brand new higher end stove in there right before the tenant moved in. Now the tenant is saying that it caught fire and wants us to give them another one. New stoves typically don’t catch fire unless somebody has put something inside and hasn’t watched what they’re cooking correctly.
I tried to explain this to the property manager and it’s simply easier for them to try to pressure me into getting another stove. I feel a little shafted in the sense that not only did tenant ruin my brand new stove, but Somehow it’s being insinuated that is landlord’s fault.

The tenant then told Property Manager that they thinks it’s from rats chewing wires in the back. Again, logic says if a wire was cut  the stove would not work not simply the stove caught on fire inside the oven park while it was in use.

I instructed the PM to buy a used stove and to have the tenant sign that it is a courtesy, and if this one breaks it’s up to them to replace it with a stove or their choice at their cost. I have not heard back from the p.m. yet. 
Has anyone ran into an issue like this and how can we do better going forward?

[Nathan Gesner]

1. Your PM sucks. Their responsibility is to protect your interests while treating the Tenant honestly and fairly. They are siding with the Tenant without evidence.

2. Location of the fire would determine the truth. I would investigate and see if the fire came from the wiring or if it originated inside the oven or on the stove top. I would only pay if the evidence showed it was an electrical fire.

If you can't investigate, just buy a used stove and move forward. Then start looking for a new PM that understands their responsibility as your fiduciary.