Tenant brought in "portable washer" which (of course) leaked

[Christen G.]

My new  tenants upstairs apparently brought in a "portable washer" which has leaked into the downstairs unit - destroying the tenant's bed and TBD on the rest of the damage. (Yay for Saturday afternoon emergency calls!)

Thankfully,  we require our tenants to have renter's insurance and show us proof/sign an addendum with their lease. Once I figure out the extent of the damages what is my next step? Pay for it and bill back the tenant/their insurance or have their insurance come out, look and pay to get it all fixed? What about the bed?

Thanks for any insight or advice you may have.

[Thomas S.]

Inform your tenant that they will be responsible for all repair costs and advise them to contact their insurance agent immediately. You contact your insurance agent. That begins the process and you then do as your agent instructs.