If a renter that is listed on the homeowner’s insurance policy signed an agreement for repairs with a contractor, as the owner must I honor the contract?
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If a renter that is listed on the homeowner’s insurance policy signed an agreement for repairs with a contractor, as the owner must I honor the contract?
As the owner I had no knowledge of this and don’t want to do business with this contractor as he has bad reviews and numerous complaints. I did not sign anything and no money has been paid.
Asked on July 3, 2015 under Real Estate Law, Minnesota
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
No, you do not have to honor the contract: you did not sign it, as you point out, and you are under no legal obligation to allow someone else to contract for work to be done on your home--no one else has the right (unless you have them that right contractually, such as in the terms of a lease) to make alterations, additions, repairs, renovations, etc. to your property.
The renter will be liable to the contractor, since he/she has signed the contract, and will have to pay the contractual amount. If you did anything that *reasonably* would lead the renter to believe he/she had authority to do this (e.g. you sent an email or text saying "please take care of this" or "get this fixed"), you, in turn, may have to reimburse the renter for any amounts they pay. But you don't need to let the contractor work and would not be directly liable to them, based on what you write.
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