All Forum Posts by: Jordan L.

Hi @Jason Bott, thanks for the response.  There's an array of situations in which I could imagine a tenant suing--  emotional distress, breach of contract, dissatisfaction with how repairs/security deposits/tenant approvals are handled...  etc.  I can't even really anticipate what one could potentially encounter given the litigious nature of American culture these days.

I'd be most interested in a policy that would provide complete coverage for any legal matter that I may be faced with as a landlord.  I'm not even sure that such a thing exists, but there are certainly gaping holes in general liability policies that only cover property damage and personal injury.

Hi all,

    I'm looking for recommendations as to what insurance companies provide landlords with liability insurance beyond the typical property damage and bodily injury coverage.  Does anyone have any knowledge of or experience with more extensive liability policies?

Thank you!

Hello all,

 I'm doing an approximate 1200 sq ft DIY install of Lumber Liquidators Tranquility XD LVP 4mm flooring over a concrete slab.  The house is currently my primary residence but will likely become a rental in the near future.  The manufacturer recommends a 6mil underlayment, but I've heard this may or may not actually be necessary.  From what I've read on here, there are also mixed opinions.

 The property is in the Central Valley of California, so not a humid area.  No known issues with the concrete slab other than a bit of mortar I still need to grind off here and there due to the old ceramic tile.  I'm not sure what the purpose of the underlayment would be in this type of environment other than noise reduction or a very marginal insulation value.  If I can avoid the extra hassle of dealing with the underlayment I will.  This said, I'm not a flooring professional so it's possible there's something I'm not considering.  

 Should I install the underlayment?

  Also, has anyone had experience negotiating contractor pricing from retailers like LL?  I don't have a contractor's license but I own other rentals and have made large purchases from LL in other states in the past.    

Thank you everyone. 

I've submitted a claim to my insurance carrier and I'm waiting to hear back.  I'm really hoping I'll be covered.  Of course, I'm having visions of losing everything I've worked for over this, even though I was as responsive and diligent as was possible.  It's pretty much impossible not to worry no matter the reassurance I'm getting.  I was sleeping soundly at night, thinking my insurance would cover me without a doubt for anything like this.

@Steve Maginnis Thank you for the heads up on that clause.  My contract does include that clause.  Most of the allegations made by the former tenant are PM's lack of responsiveness, which is something I obviously have no control of (I doubt these allegations are even truthful but of course I have no way of knowing for sure).  So...  I'm assuming... worst case my insurance doesn't represent or cover me, and I'm on the hook paying for my PM's representation, will the attorney then represent both of us equally in the case?

@Anthony Wick Thanks for this response.  Pretty much all of the feedback I’ve gotten is that this is a bunch of bs.  

So if my insurance company elects not to cover me, any recommendations on finding the right attorney?  I will ask my PM but I’d like to examine my options as well.  I assume I need a real estate attorney with trial experience?  Are there any good resources out there for reading reviews beyond Yelp?

@Joseph ODonovan  Thank you for your response.  I’m not too comfortable disclosing the property location online but I’m a long distance investor.  Why would my insurance carrier not cover me?  I have landlord liability insurance attached to the homeowner’s policy and the carrier is aware it’s a rental.

Thank you again everyone for the replies and stories.  I have been working all day putting my notes together.  I was as responsive as was possible on all of the items I was informed of. From what it sounds like I don't need to worry, but of course easier said than done!

I did look up their attorney.  He does practice real estate law and litigation.

Also, they do have an attorney who is also an employee of the small business they own.

Thank you again everyone for your responses and advice.  I don't want to overshare detail on the internet but to answer a few questions:

They are suing for an excess of $60k. 

When they moved in a work order was submitted that the dryer outlet didn't operate and the washer drain was clogged.  They are alleging the repairs my PM were insufficient, left them without laundry facilities, and that they reached out to my PM regarding this without response.

They are alleging I took too much time to have a large, somewhat crooked tree removed that lost a couple of limbs and that the was at immediate risk of falling on the house.

They are alleging the refrigerator stopped working and they contacted my PM without response so they had to purchase their own and pay to haul away the one that was there.

They are alleging there was a problem with the septic tank that left them in unsanitary conditions throughout their lease.

They are asking for attorney fees.

They are alleging that my PM overcharged for damages upon their move out and refused to do a move out inspection before they left the property, and that their account was sent to collections without giving them the opportunity to pay, thus ruining their reputation.

There were work orders related to these items (besides the fridge, I never heard anything about that) but the appropriate repairs were made and I was not contacted by my PM subsequently.

@Jim Spatzenfeld you're right on about Lathrop.  And no offense taken but I'm a chick.  With a name like Jordan everyone has thought I'm a guy for my entire life.  lol.

They're claiming the septic didn't work (found to be a clog in the sink drain by my plumber), the laundry facilities didn't work and they couldn't launder their clothes (drain and electrical outlet were repaired and I never heard of a problem after), they said the refrigerator stopped working so they had to buy their own (which I was never contacted about if this is the case).  The septic took some reconnaissance to figure out if there was or wasn't a problem but I was even at the property last month doing turnover work myself and stayed there for a week, showering every day and using the facilities.  It was fine.  All of the needed repairs were made that I was made aware of, but one of the larger ones (cutting down a live tree that was growing somewhat crooked and dropped a couple of limbs that worried the tenants) took about 6 weeks to organize.  I had a tree company lined up that backed out so I had to find another and wait for their scheduling.  They're also claiming my PM was unresponsive to their attempts to make contact regarding their dissatisfaction with various issues.

I have a feeling this has to do with my PM keeping their security deposit and charging additional for damages they caused.