Floor caved in while moving a couch, landlord wants me to pay

[Upgrade Costello]

The living room floor caved in while moving a heavy couch in my apartment. In the basement it seems a support beam gave way and cracked. The landlord said for me to provide my renter's insurance information to cover damages. I don't have renter's insurance and I also think this is the landlord's fault and he should pay for the repair.  Please let me know who's responsible to pay for the repair!

[Joe Splitrock]

@Upgrade Costello a standard couch should not be heavy enough to cause this damage which indicates the beam was weak or bearing too much load. Do you have photographs of the beam you can share? 

Assuming you are putting normal things in the property (like a couch) then it would not be your responsibility. We have a policy against water beds due to weight issues, but that is way more heavy than a couch. Review your lease to make sure there isn't some strange clause in there. 

I would relay to the landlord that it is a structural defect in the property and not due to your misuse. I would call the city building inspector to have them come out and look at it. The building may not be safe. My guess is the building is older and doesn't meet current code. It could be grandfathered in, but either way that is not your fault.