Car is now in living room!

todayisagreatday

This thread is on behalf of a close friend and I'm wanting to check the advice I'm giving is accurate. He is in an apartment and there is an allocated area for parking outside the apartments which is a small, elevated area. Late last night a neighbours car has basically rolled down the car park, smashed into his car which then smashed through their living room window and is currently in their living room! The woman is taking full responsibility saying she though the hand brake had snapped (he thinks she probably didn't put it on). Police said there is no reason for them to attend. Two witnesses saw this happen.
Their apartment is not secure and they have no idea if the car can be removed and if there is structural damage to the apartment (it's a ground floor apartment).
I've told him to ring his insurance, he has all of her details and witnesses etc. Am I correct in thinking they will sort out alternative accommodation and deal with the chaos? He's only been in the apartment 5 weeks and it's a 6 month lease. The estate agent he did the rental through is closed on a Sunday with no way of contacting them so the owner of the apartment doesn't yet know the apartment basically has a car wedged in it!

Any advice I can pass on, I know it's a bit of a unique situation.

Grumpy_chap

There are some inconsistencies in what your friend has told you, so you need to check all the details.

It's a rental property, and irrespective of the LA being closed, this would warrant contacting the out-of-hours emergency number.

Your friend should notify car insurance plus property insurance (but, as a rental property your friend's insurance will usually only cover contents).  The LL will need to claim on property insurance.

Given the circumstances, the Police need to attend as other residents in the block may be in danger and require evacuation.

Hope this story reaches a happy ending.

todayisagreatday

It's probably my explanation of details! I visited his apartment when he moved and understand the set up and he has just sent photos. It's a mess.
He's checked all paperwork for an out of hours or emergency number, I've looked online and there is no phone number for out of hours for the estate agents or an emergency number which seems a little strange. He's emailed and left voice messages on the office number and is planning to call when they open tomorrow as the office isn't open currently. They don't have the LL direct contact details.
His insurance only covers contents but he will be ringing his car insurance company as soon as it opens, no 24 hour claim line unfortunately. 

Hasbeen

Contact the landlord through the contact address on the rental contract. They will have the buildings insurance for the flat.

Your friend should have contents insurance? so they need to contact their insurance company re damage to contents etc.

Contents insurer will in my opinion not sort out any alternative accommodation etc? as belief that falls under remit of buildings.

But see what they say.

And also get in touch with her insurance re damage accommodation etc?

And see what they say.

But someone more expert in insurance will be along shortly to advise better.  

Grumpy_chap

If the Police don't attend, then the Local Authority emergency hotline to look at safety of other residents and possible emergency accomodation.

todayisagreatday

Grumpy_chap said:

If the Police don't attend, then the Local Authority emergency hotline to look at safety of other residents and possible emergency accomodation.

Good idea, never thought of that.

missile

I don't understand how a car rolling down a hill could push another vehicle which presumably had it's hand brake on(?) through a wall. Can you post the photos?
"Currently, if you rent out property in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and in some parts of England, you will need to register as a landlord. If you’re a landlord in England you’ll need to speak to your local council to find out if registration is required in your area."
If you are in England. You may check who owns the property here> https://www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry

todayisagreatday

The other car that rolled into it was on quite a steep incline so must have been the impact that pushed it and the fact that the incline continues down to my friends apartment.  Yes handbrake was on which may have prevented it from doing more damage than it has (only front end in window so my initial posting of the car in the living room isn't entirely accurate it's only the front end). He's on the phone now to insurance so hopefully he will know more soon. The LL/estate agent contact will have to be tomorrow, there seems to be no way of making out of hours contact.

missile

"He's on the phone now to insurance so hopefully he will know more soon." Is this his or LLs insurance?

"The LL/estate agent contact will have to be tomorrow, there seems to be no way of making out of hours contact." Sods law = emergencies never happen 9 - 5 Monday through Friday. I would suggest your friend obtains out of hours contact details when he speaks with agent on Monday. 

elsien

Happened to a neighbour when a joyrider came through her front wall.
The block had to be evacuated while they got the structure checked. I’m surprised the police haven’t at least flagged this up - have they fully understood the situation? 

todayisagreatday

Success - letting agency have responded to emails and Facebook messages and are now coming out to site now with someone to check building. Car insurance are arranging someone to come within the hour to attempt to retrieve car which is good. I do have pics, I'll try and block out reg numbers and post.