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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">As you would expect, tenant not responsible and unenforceable lease provision if the lease requires the tenant to waive liability of the landlord. As far as experiences, never needed to litigate these case as
they are settled. I have had cases that go both ways. One case the cause of a fire was faulty wiring. The landlord’s insurance company paid for all the tenants’ personal property
<b>and expenses</b> without question. I think the fact that the tenant reported a bad switch which was “allegedly” repaired by maintenance personal which caused the fire pursuant to the fire marshal had a lot to do with it. Insurance paid quickly. I also
had cases where the fire marshal found the tenant at fault (unsupervised kids playing with matches) which the insurance company did not pay and I wouldn’t take the case because the fire was the fault of the tenant. The more difficult cases are stove fires
which a demand letter usually works and if that doesn’t work the filing of a law suit leads to a quick settlement. In my experience and opinion the insurance company will pay for personal property even if the tenant didn’t report the problem if the damages
were caused by the landlord’s maintenance responsibility as the landlord is responsible for maintenance of the property. Furthermore the landlord cannot impose liability onto the tenant anything that is the landlord’s responsibility. I have never had to
litigate these issues. One case the tenant broke her leg when she fell through the kitchen floor (rotted wood) and the only issue was the amount of damages which I let a personal injury attorney mediate the damages issue, as they are more capable at the value
of a broken leg. I have taken parking lot liability and crime liability but those cases are very difficult but winnable. One case grossed 250k. As far a mold, all my mold client just want out of the lease and one letter usually gets that accomplished.
I have had the same mold problem for the same apartment complex and the same apartment come up on several occasions but my clients don’t want to litigate but I am keeping a list for future clients.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">I have taken (and will continue to take) cases if the problem is related to the landlord’s responsibility and had no problem with insurance payments to date. The amount of personal property is probably not worth
the insurance company’s litigating expenses especially with “bad faith” claims lurking over them. The other thought is that I haven’t demanded enough money and the insurance company jumps on the offer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black">Leonard P. Cabral, Esq.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> landten-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org [mailto:landten-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Harry Heist<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, October 21, 2015 11:51 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'RPPTL Landlord Tenant Committee' <landten@lists.flabarrpptl.org><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [RPPTL LandTen] Personal property liability - Residential<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Most leases have a clause whereby the landlord and tenant agree that the landlord is not responsible for damage or loss to the tenant’s personal property. Often
it urges or requires the tenant to get renter’s insurance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">I have never seen this really tested.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Then there is the implied warranty of habitability lurking out there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">What are your thoughts on the enforceability of the lease clause for instance in the case of a pipe break through no fault of the tenant or a mold bloom through
no fault of the tenant?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Any cases? Experiences in court?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Harry<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">LAW OFFICES OF
<br>
HEIST, WEISSE & WOLK P.A.<br>
PH: 1 800 253 8428<br>
FAX: 1 800 367 9038<br>
"Serving the Property Management Professional"<br>
Website: </span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><a href="http://www.evict.com/"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">www.evict.com</span></b></a></span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">
<br>
Email: </span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><a href="mailto:harry@evict.com"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">harry@evict.com</span></b></a></span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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