Can a landlord demand that I pay full price if I break used furniture in a furnished apartment?
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Can a landlord demand that I pay full price if I break used furniture in a furnished apartment?
I lived in a furnished apartment and chipped a small piece of a round glass table. I glued it back on and smoothened it but in the right light it is visible. A new tabletop is apparently $1400. The table was not new. Can my landlord demand I pay $1400for a new tabletop or just part of it? Besides in the right light the table is just fine.
Asked on August 9, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Iowa
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It does not matter that "in the right light, the table is fine"--if a tenant breaks the landlord's property, the tenant is liable for the cost to repair or replace it. If it can't be repaired as good as new, the landlord may charge the current replacement cost--i.e. what it will cost the landlord to buy a new piece or item of similar quality.
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