What to do if I’m being charged for damage that my family did not cause?
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What to do if I’m being charged for damage that my family did not cause?
I have lived in an apartment for over 6 years. Today I recieved a letter from the owner of the apartment wanting to charge me $90 for damaging a dryer. This bill was sent to me after an accusation made by a neighbor. The neighbor stated that she placed her clothes in the dryer after my daughter had used the dryer. When she took her clothes out her clothes were ruined, because they had red dye on them. I had only found this out when I called the number on the bill. During this phone call I asked the owner why he didnt ask me if I had done anything. He just insisted that common sense pointed to my daughter. He states that since my daughter used the dryer last that it has to be from her. However, to me that proves that it wasn’t from her.
Asked on October 26, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Ohio
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Unless the landlord can provide you with any specific evidence or proof that a family member caused the damage to the dryer where there was $90 in repairs, you have no obligation to even consider paying the demand. The landlord's recourse would be to take you or the family member to small claims court.
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