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Updated almost 11 years ago, 02/10/2014
Who is responsible for missing outside items INSIDE A FENCED IN BACKYARD?
This is somewhat related to an existing thread but I didn't want to hijack that one.
http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/116077-who-is-responsible-for-missing-outside-items
My situation is a bit different.
Tenant has moved out. I noticed that two lawn chairs out of four are missing. The lawn chairs are in the backyard, completely fenced in.
I have photos showing four lawn chairs in good conditions. Now there are only two.
I asked the tenant what happened, his reply was "Really? There were four? I never counted..."
My hunch, he broke two of them for whatever reason, and tossed them out thinking may be I wouldn't notice, as having the damaged one there would definitely be noticed.
Could it have been a theft? Possibly, not likely. Why would a thief steal two and leave two alone? Why would a thief not take the much more expensive propane gas stainless steel BBQ unit next to the lawn chairs instead?
My lease did include what's furnished - ceiling fans, microwave, blah blah blah, LAWN FURNITURE, blah blah blah...
but did say 1 table + 4 chairs.
However, I have dated pictures back to the day of move in showing 4 chairs.
Is it expensive? No, probably $20 a piece. But it could have been the BBQ unit, then it would be a $200 expense.
So, who's responsible?