Apartments can be dangerous places in terms of fire safety. The good news is that, if you’re affected by a fire that started in a different unit of your building, you do have a case against your landlord for the damages, regardless of how it started.

What can you sue an apartment complex for?

Reasons an Apartment Complex can be Sued

• Uninhabitable Living Conditions.
• Illegal Entries.
• Housing Discrimination.
• Violation of Rental Agreement Laws.

Can you be sued for an accidental fire?

You can be sued for almost anything, including a house fire, even if it’s accidental. Similarly, if you have evidence that the fire was not your fault or that your landlord contributed to the fire, you could either have the suit dismissed early or ultimately win the suit.

What happens if your apartment catches on fire?

When a fire occurs, the landlord is typically responsible for covering damages to the physical property. If the fire is determined to be due to negligence of someone within the apartment, the landlord may seek compensation for the damages. Renters insurance is not designed to cover damages to the actual property.

What do you do if your apartment burns down?

What to Do After a Fire at Your Apartment Complex – Your Complete Guide

1. Notify All of Your Tenants About the Situation.
2. Try to Trace the Cause of the Fire.
3. Contact Your Insurance Company Right Away.
4. Work with Your Insurance to Find a Fire Restoration Company.
5. Document All of the Damage to Your Property as Soon as You Can.

Can you sue an apartment complex for emotional distress?

If a landlord causes you severe emotional distress that does not result in physical harm, you can recover for this purely emotional injury if your landlord’s actions were reckless or intentional. The money damages may be doubled or tripled if you also claim that the action was an unfair or deceptive practice.

Can I take my apartment complex to small claims court?

The answer is yes as long as the dispute is for $10,000 or less (more on this below). Disputes with landlords are very common in small claims court. Here are some examples of small claims lawsuits against landlords: Your landlord did not return your security deposit.

What is considered an accidental fire?

Accidental fires involve all those for which the proven cause does not involve a deliberate human act to ignite or spread fire into an area where the fire should not be. For example, in a legal setting, a trash fire might be spread by a sudden gust of wind.

Who is liable for fire damage?

Any person who personally or through another wilfully, negligently, or in violation of law, sets fire to, allows fire to be set to, or allows a fire kindled or attended by him to escape to, the property of another, whether privately or publicly owned, is liable to the owner of such property for any damages to the

What is fire damage legal liability?

Fire Legal Liability Coverage — coverage of a tenant’s liability for damage by fire to the rented premises (including garages) the tenant occupies; such coverage is usually provided as an exception to policy exclusions applicable to property in the insured’s care, custody, or control (CCC).

Does renters insurance cover fire damage to the apartment?

In short, yes. Renters insurance is designed to cover your personal belongings from loss or damage due to fire, lightning, smoke, theft, vandalism and more. So, if a fire breaks out in your apartment, your personal belongings should be covered.

What do you do after a fire in a rental property?

Rental property fires: The 10 steps landlords need to follow

1. Collect Details About Your Rental Property Fire ASAP.
2. Help Your Tenants Find New Housing.
3. Contact Your Insurance Company Immediately.
4. Set Up Appointments with Fire Restoration Companies.
5. Document the Rental Property Fire Damage.
6. Secure the Rental Property.

What happens if you rent a house and it burns down?

If you have rent coverage in your landlord liability policy, you will be in good shape, subject to your deductibility. Your carrier will cover your damages and lost rent costs. If the house becomes uninhabitable, the mortgage and taxes must still be paid.

How does insurance pay if house burns down?

If a covered disaster completely destroys your house, your standard homeowner’s insurance policy includes a “loss of use” or “additional living expense” protection, providing temporary housing until you recover. It pays off your mortgage, freeing you of that obligation.

What is considered uninhabitable living situations for a tenant?

Uninhabitable conditions can include dangerous ones, such as holes in the floor, unsafe or exposed wiring, or non-working air conditioning in dangerously hot summer months. Gross infestations of roaches, fleas or other pests are also uninhabitable conditions.

What are the fire safety regulations for landlords?

Landlords are required by law to have at least one smoke alarm installed on every floor of their properties and a carbon monoxide alarm in any room containing a solid fuel burning appliance (eg a coal fire, wood burning stove). You must also make sure the alarms are in working order at the start of each new tenancy.