Fire in apartment complex

Question

Sept. 2007 my family was burned out in an apartment complex, we did not have renters insurance. We were told that we were out of luck in being compensated for our belongings the fire chief sent us a complete print out of the fire stated the fire was due to faulty wireing in the wall between my apartment and the adjoining one. . Is this correct, are we sol.

Answer 1

It is slightly possible that the landlord will be generous.  /

Answer 2

I think the only way the apartment complex would be held liable is if you can prove that they knew about the faulty wiring but did nothing about it.

Answer 3

I guess you could sue the apartment complex... I don't know if it would be worth your time and money though.

You might try going to an attorney, and having them write up a document that would scare the pants off of the complex - that might be enough to get some money from them.  If nothing else, an attorney would be able to tell you if you had a case or not.

Without renter's insurance though, you might be sol.

Answer 4

As others have said, to recoup any costs, you’d have to prove that the landlord was aware of a wiring issue. You would need evidence like a notice from a municipal inspector or electrician that repairs were suggested on the area where the fire started and that the landlord failed to act on that notice. Since wiring is usually not visible without removing walls, it’s unlikely such documentation exists. Without it, you are SOL.  The best thing you can get from this experience is the knowledge that renters insurance is a necessity for next time.  

Answer 5

Get a consultation with a lawyer but you might be sol

Answer 6

You are SOL. The lease usually contains a clause absolving the landlord of all responsibility for personal belongings. Unless you can prove "criminal neglect" you don't have a leg to stand on. That's why you needed renters insurance.

Answer 7

You opted to go without insurance.  You made the choice yourself.

Unless it was an arson fire, started by the owner themselves this is an accident and fully covered by your insurance.   The fact that you did not want insurance does not pass the buck onto someone else.

The landlords insurance only covers his property, not yours.

Answer 8

I encourage all of my tenants to have renters insurance.  Heck, even my kid in college that lives in the dorms has renters insurance.  We were taken to court once because our roof leaked and ruined our tenants computer and printer.  He wanted us to replace it, but he lost in court.  The judge said it was his responsibility to protect his personal belongings with insurance.  The judge asked him if he would pay to repair our roof, and of course the tenant said no, because he didn't own the building.....and the judge said, "Precisely, so why do you expect them to pay for your computer, they didn't own it."  Our property insurance only protects our things, renters insurance protects the tenants things. I think you are sol.