All Forum Posts by: Ed Soniat

@Aaron Bristol If I were there I would give it a try.  If I hire someone to do it the cost/benefit isn't there.  The tenant has made their own reportedly comprehensive effort.  The most economical thing I can do is replace the fridge.  It's a simple top freezer unit. 

@Brandon DeVega The fridge functions fine.  What has been conveyed to me is that even after cleaning and running with baking soda and other attempts to get the smell out it will not abate.  ServePro says it is beyond repair.   

They have asked for a replacement refrigerator and I've approved that.  I wouldn't want to have my food in a potentially contaminated fridge so I am ok with replacing it.  We can work out who is responsible for the destruction after the fact. 

The way I see it they were in position of a fully functioning refrigerator in a fully functioning unit and damaged the refrigerator through neglect.  I see no reason why it is my responsibility.  We shall see.  Fortunately it isn't an expensive fridge. 

Good tip.  I can ask the manager.

We didn't know about this switch but we do now.  Locks will be applied to both of our units.

No one knows who or why this was turned off. The HOA doesn't know of any activity. The power company is suppose to roll the account over to us if it isn't paid and that didn't happen so they probably are current on their bill.

The tenant has been very good but I wouldn't be surprised if this was an accident they may not wish to admit too.  Since the switch is out in the open there isn't any way to know who did it.  Each meter has a switch next to it with a hasp to lock but there are no locks on any of them (yet ;-)

The tenant hasn't asked for food but the gift certificate might be good gesture.

No camera so we'll never know.

Thank you for the feedback.  It is consistent with manager but he hasn't impressed me as being particularly well informed on the legal technicalities of landlord tenant responsibilities. I didn't hire him for legal advise so that is ok. 

I ask the tenant to file a police report so that at least that would put some onus on them to be honest and they did.

To be clear the refrigerator was damaged by rotten food such that it was covered in mold and the smell can not be abated.  It was full of food and closed for weeks. The refrigerator still functions but is not suitable for its intended use due to contamination. 

Who is responsible for the cost of replacing the refrigerator damaged when the power was cut off to a rented condo.

Our tenant reported that the power to her unit was cut off at an unsecured switch next to the meter while she was away for the holidays. The refrigerator is a total loss. We have no idea who turned it off or why. We do not think the power company turned off her service nor was there any system wide outage to our knowledge. The HOA is not aware of any reason the power would have been turned off.

We are replacing the refrigerator as soon as possible.

The tenant say their insurance will not cover it although I'm not sure it was presented properly.

It is under our insurance deductible.