Skip to content
×
Try PRO Free Today!
BiggerPockets Pro offers you a comprehensive suite of tools and resources
Market and Deal Finder Tools
Deal Analysis Calculators
Property Management Software
Exclusive discounts to Home Depot, RentRedi, and more
$0
7 days free
$828/yr or $69/mo when billed monthly.
$390/yr or $32.5/mo when billed annually.
7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
General Landlording & Rental Properties
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated almost 8 years ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

3
Posts
1
Votes
Joshua Greenberg
  • Investor
  • Grand Rapids, MI
1
Votes |
3
Posts

Damage to tenant vehicle

Joshua Greenberg
  • Investor
  • Grand Rapids, MI
Posted

I was hoping to get some input on a very freak accident. Four months after closing on a nicely renovated fourplex, a tenant parked their vehicle next to the rear steps on a day with 65 mph winds and a divider made of concrete blocks fell onto the tenant's windshield, hood, and roof causing at least $2500 in damages on a recently purchased used car. Fortunately, no one was nearby or injured. The home was recently inspected both privately and by the city and no issues with the divider were noted. I immediately felt that the owner (ie my LLC) would be liable, but the property management company and our insurance company do not feel that it is the owner's fault. The tenant also does not have car insurance (which is illegal and a misdemeanor in my state) which would ordinarily cover this. I initially felt that I would therefore cover the cost of the windshield to help put but the damage to the frame requires more body work to make the car safe and that would cost at least $2500. Meanwhile, our homeowners insurance for the property has closed the file stating that we are not at fault and they will defend us to the full extent of the law. When notified of this, the tenant actually went to the place of business of the property management company and attacked one employee and smashed a computer. They now want her evicted which is a separate problem. I am curious how people would handle the damage to the vehicle as this is a very sticky and terrible situation four months into being a new residential real estate investor. I never post on social media but I am desperate for more input. Thanks.

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

761
Posts
328
Votes
Rich N.
  • Investor
  • Haverhill, MA
328
Votes |
761
Posts
Rich N.
  • Investor
  • Haverhill, MA
Replied

Why or what ruling/law is your PM and insurance company basing their decision on?

If your insurance company says it is going to defend you, I would let them as its their job.

I would stay out of it and tell the tenant to address it with the insurance company.

It may suck for the tenant, but you are running this as a business and your experts are saying it is not you.

yes - you should plan on evicting

yes - your PM company should be filing a police report and going after tenant for damages...not after you.

  • Rich N.
  • Loading replies...