Break in at rented property - who pays for entrance damage?

Geenie

socrates wrote: »

The reason I raised the point about the profession and that they were a family is that they had the possessions/contents you would expect a family of four to have.

I just felt it was irresponsible thats all.

I agree, it was irresponsible. And to all these LL's that don't seem to have a clue as to what their responsibilities are and give good ones a bad name, join something like the National Landlords Association or other type group, so that you are up to date with what you have to do, and also your tenants. It doesn't cost that much each year, and keeps you informed.

PasturesNew

If it were me, I'd be replacing that window with stronger glass, unbreakable type stuff... to minimise the chances of it happening next time, but, more importantly, to make the property more secure for the tenants.

jjdevine

Landlords like you make me sick.

lisaloo1977

My partner hs just had this at one of his properties.
The front door was kicked in and 1 window smashed as the tenant owed some people £70.
The damage to Window was £60 and a new door £100 including fitting.
It would have been far easier if the people had just asked the landlord for the money.
I am afraid it comes with the teritory of being a landlord thats its your responsibility to sort it out. Not worth claiming on buildings cover for a window

Raksha

There was an article in my local paper (Milton Keynes) about council tennants who had locked themselves out, smashing a window to gain entry, then telling the council it had been an attempted break in by person or persons unknown...........

gelato_cat

But by the time the alarm would have gone off (had it been set), the damage would already have been done?

Suze

socrates wrote: »

If you have Buildings Insurance and they know you are renting out the property you should be able to claim from them.

Personally I had a property where I had something similar happen - the difference was the property was alarmed. The break-in happened when they were at home. When I asked them why they never heard the alarm, they informed me that they never set the alarm either in the evening when they went to bed (you can set zones) or when they left the house.

On this basis I held them responsible. I then went on to find out that they had no contents insurance and the tenant was a doctor with his wife and two children.

Inspect the property, confirm that it is actually an attempted break-in and not a window broken by damage they have caused and they are trying to pass it off as something else.

Pay for the repairs or claim from the Insurance as part of your emergency cover - you may need a Crime Reference Number.

olly300

socrates wrote: »

If you have Buildings Insurance and they know you are renting out the property you should be able to claim from them.

Personally I had a property where I had something similar happen - the difference was the property was alarmed. The break-in happened when they were at home. When I asked them why they never heard the alarm, they informed me that they never set the alarm either in the evening when they went to bed (you can set zones) or when they left the house.

Did it occur to you that the alarm may have gone off causing false alarms which annoyed the neighbours?

socrates wrote: »

On this basis I held them responsible.

You can't hold them responsible unless your building insurance specifically states that the alarm must be on when people are at home in the house at night.

socrates wrote: »

I then went on to find out that they had no contents insurance and the tenant was a doctor with his wife and two children.

It's none of your business whether a tenant decides to have their own contents insurance ornot. Some people decide that it's better to self-insure as their electrical goods are not worth that much and they don't have any other goods of high value. If you read contents insurance policies you see that you get very little back for clothing and household linens.

socrates

I stated my case to them and they were happy to pay - thats because I am a fair landlord. Plus they were not prepared to get a crime reference number - they could not be bothered. Its about playing by the rules on both sides. Landlords and tenants.

However I am sure there are some people on these boards who just look for any thread with a LL in to disagree with them.

barnaby-bear

Randal wrote: »

Just been informed that someone has attempted to break in to a property that I rent out as the landlord. The property was occupied and is under a tenancy agreement, but the tenant was out at the time. The only damage was a double glazed glass window unit on the side of the house that they smashed to try and gain entry.

What I'm trying to determine is who should pay for the replacement of the glazing unit – the landlord or the tenant? My thinking is that as the property was under a tenancy agreement and hence under their responsibility, it should be the tenant. If the property was empty, or if there was some building damage (ie. subsidence etc) then I can see it being the landlord.

Any info/guidance would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

Building damaged by someone other than tenant is landlord's responsibility. http://www.thedisputeservice.co.uk/index.php?p=206 One of the tenancy deposit case studies.

epz_2

out of interest what do you think you are responsible for, acts of god like weather damage?