Landlord's shelf collapsed, damaged my stuff

[Deleted User]

So by "looking after my stuff" do you mean "Putting it on display on a shelf?"

freeisgood

I think you have to put this one down to one of life's little lessons.


With having small children, I put all my special pottery in a shelf in a shed we never use, and left it there for a couple of years....
Last year I opened the shed to find the shed shelf brackets had rusted and the whole lot was smashed to the ground.
I just had to live with my poor judgement.

Lum

It was decided to put it there as it's somewhere the cat doesn't go. The stuff that's in boxes is just on the floor, some of it's in storage.

Short of taking the shelf down and examining its construction there was no way of knowing in advance that it was put up incorrectly, it seemed sturdy enough. Though in hindsight, the state of the electrical wiring, mould, damp, rotting wood in the bathroom etc. should have given us a clue that it would have been a half-assed job, main reason I thought the shelf would be better is that the landlord is a comic book geek. All his stuff is still in one room including display shelves with lots of similar figures on.

No I don't have my own insurance, when getting out of an abusive relationship and sleeping on people's couches while looking for a new place to live, it's not the first thing you think about getting, you know. This friend has done enough for me already, letting me store me stuff, being there as a mediator while I remove my stuff from my ex's etc. etc. She'll also be the one helping me move into my new place when I find it.

bris

The cat saw it, thought hey that's new I think ill just jump up there and investigate, oh !!!!!! lucky I always land on my feet, I wont be doing that again.

mrginge

Ah ok. I think i've misread the context of your OP. I thought you wanted some advice about liability.

Now i realise you just want someone to agree with you.

On that basis, sue the LL. It's clearly his fault.
:j

Lum

@bris: The cat was outside at the time.

@mrginge: Actually someone said I would have to demonstrate negligence, so I came back asking if having the thing nailed to the wall with the wrong type of nails counted as such.

@quizzical squirrel: Thank you for understanding. As far as this type of break up goes it's been a lot easier than the traditional method where you stuff as much as you can in a suitcase and flee in the middle of the night, but still pretty tough to have this going on in the evenings, and then have to go into work, speak to customers and carry on as if nothing is happening. I'm truly grateful to this friend who I can never repay for what she's done, so no I'm not going after her over the failed shelf!

thesaint

This thread sums up everything(slight exxageration)wrong with this country today.

Move to America, you'll fit right in.

lynz68

Unfortunately no one is to blame and you are not going to get compensated for accidental damage.

Being a valuable item did you not think to package it for safe-keeping rather than displayed on a shelf.

DTDfanBoy

Don't give up Lum, I know exactly who is responsible for this travesty :mad:


This will provide some inspiration for your big day in court :beer:

bmunky7

Ignoring the pointless posts in this thread, unfortunately OP it seems unlikely you will be able to get any compensation / insurance to cover the loss. It is a shame but I don't think you have any other realistic option but to chalk it up to bad luck.