Cabinet Fell On Tenants Child

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Hello Everyone

My tenant called me and left a message saying a kitchen cabinet fell on her daughter she also said the cabinet was not installed correctly. I am wondering how I should handle this besides fixing the cabinet am I respnsible for her daugthers injuries or should I offer to pay for her injuries being the landlord? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Comments(16)

  • jimandlacy23rd February, 2006

    You should call your insurance company right away.

    Jim

  • linlin24th February, 2006

    I say call the attorney before doing anything. And take pics of the cabinest, wall etc.

  • Bobe732nd March, 2006

    First and formost make sure that everyone is ok.

    I would call the insurance company to alert them since you have been notified you are required to notify them for your protection. Then notify your attorney.

    After contacting your attorney and the insurance company any and all communication should be done either in writing or conversations should be backed up with a follow up/recap letter stating the points and statements of the sonversations. Especially if statements are made that there are no injuries. I agree with above with regards of asking for copies of the medical bills, however if this person is going to pursue litigation you will probably not get them.

    Before doing work MAKE SURE to take pictures with a non-digital camera. I have been asked in court if the pictures were taken by a digital camera.

    This is a business and protecting yourself and assests is the name of the game with this type of issue. I would not worry about pissing off the tenant. If it is a legitiment claim, and you handle it with respect and concern for the tenant there should be no reason for them to get upset with you.

    Robert

  • evadadams2nd March, 2006

    Thank to everyone for the input/advice! This is want ended up happening. I had the cabinet fixed immediately. When I talked to my Tenant she told me she did take her daughter to the doctor and while at the doctors office she was asked alot of questions about how it happened if she owned the home etc. when she told the nurse she was renting the home they asked if she took pictures and informed her she could sue her landlord. She said she told them she has a very nice landlord and never sued anyone and didnt know she should have taken pictures of the accident. Anyway her daughter ended up with a sprained ankle, I asked her about medical bills and she told me she has medical insurance. So I ended up sending her daughter a gift basket full of goodies with a card and my apologies. Should I take any other action such as getting something in writing?
    Thanks

  • IBuyHousesInc2nd March, 2006

    This question has to be asked.....

    Hows the cabinet doing?

    [addsig]

  • evadadams2nd March, 2006

    The cabinet has been fixed and is very secure!

  • Eric_M10th March, 2006

    tough situation! Fix that cabinet asap. No need to call the insurance company yet, unless she starts getting demanding of you. Be nice and apoligize, and hopefully nothing goes wrong. Keep us updated!

  • vguess9926th March, 2006

    the tenant gods were good after all.

    you were lucky! take good care of that tenant.

  • finniganps23rd March, 2006

    Contact your local housing authority for your county. They can give you additional information including the fair market rents paid for section 8.

  • anoutsidedog23rd March, 2006

    some people tell me not to rent section 8 because the tenants will destroy the houses, but everyone on here seems to think highly of the program.

  • Ebellis23rd March, 2006

    You do the same due diligence on a Section 8 tenant that you would do on any other and you get to choose if you rent to them or not, you just have to use the same guidelines for acceptance or denial as you would for any other tenant. We have some really good tenants that take care of the property.

  • phildo2224th March, 2006

    I agree - the rents you indicate probably include all utilities. That is how my Section 8 tenants have their rents structured.

  • anoutsidedog27th March, 2006

    thanks lavon.

    Robert

  • mn23rd March, 2006

    Is it possible to raise the rent on sec. 8 after 2 years.
    Thanks

  • anoutsidedog24th March, 2006

    thanks finnigan.

    robert

  • NewKidInTown328th March, 2006

    Quote:On 2006-03-23 21:32, mn wrote:
    Is it possible to raise the rent on sec. 8 after 2 years.
    ThanksSection 8 tenants are on annual leases. You can not raise the rent until the lease is up for renewal. Any rent increase must be approved by the Section 8 Housing Authority.

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