Tenant Flood Damage - Who's Responsible?

[Jon Fletcher]

My ground floor tenant had minor water damage after Ida ripped through NY on September 1st. He's asking me to compensate him for the cost of a couple of furniture pieces. My question is; who is responsible to pay for the damage? Me as Landlord? Or Tenant through his renter's insurance? The water came up through a storm drain and infiltrated the apartment. 

[Andrew Pope]

NY insurance broker here.

Him/his insurance. Depending on the specifics his renters insurance may not cover it though. If it is classified as flood damage then he would have needed tenant flood insurance which almost no one has. Either way, you were not negligent and it is not your personal property so you are not responsible.