Garage door shattered tenants’ windshield

[Michael Nahm]

Hi everyone,

I have a great tenant in a condo, that’s been with us for years. Recently, as she was going through the common garage, the door abruptly slammed down on her windshield and shattered it.

From what she explains, she was shaken, backed out slowly and called the complex’s management office to let them know what happened.

In the meantime, her insurance covered the windshield replacement.

A bit later, she received an invoice from the complex’s management for the repair of the garage door.

The garage door has sensors, which would prevent the door from coming down if there was a vehicle going through. The fact that the windshield shattered, to me, is evidence of a strong force, such as the garage door abruptly coming down.

I feel I should also add that this tenant did not ask for a thing from management. In fact, she’s an immigrant, and does not speak English fluently. All she wanted to do was inform them of what happened. My feeling is that management is taking advantage of her, as any other person would go “suit” happy.

My question is, am I missing something? I’m about to write a letter to management on her behalf demanding they remove the charge, and would like your thoughts. 

Thank you all.

[Mack Benson]

Originally posted by @Michael Nahm:

Originally posted by @Bill B.:

Man that’s insane on the condo’s part. She could just as easily have asked for them to repair her windshield. It certainly sounds like a spring snapped and the full weight fo the door came down. Any chance they have security cameras covering the garage area? (You always want to be on the right side of a he said she said argument, especially if there’s a video.). 

From what I understand, there are no security cameras on the property.

The complex’s managementsent a letter to the tenant omg with the invoice, stating that the garage door repair personnel checked the garage door and determined it is in proper working order. They then fixed it and sent her the invoice 🧐. 

 I'm confused. If they inspected it and it's in proper working order what was there to be fixed requiring an invoice to your tenant? It almost feels like the management company is trying to take advantage of your tenant. What proof do they have that your tenant did the damages to the properly working door?

Luckily MN is a zero deductible state for auto glass so you probably won't have to worry about your tenant pursuing things from that end but having an invoice from the auto glass company to present to the management company may help your tenants case.

Good luck!