I am I responsible for paying rent after a fire.
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I am I responsible for paying rent after a fire.
I live in an apartment complex that recently caught fire. Our apartment was not damaged however we were unable to live in the building due to the fire, lack of utilities and various other dangers; they put deadbolts on the doors that we did not have keys for. They assigned us a new apartment 13 days later –they did not accommodate us during the 13 day period. Am I responsible for paying rent for those 13 days. Thanks!
Asked on June 2, 2009 under Real Estate Law, Michigan
Answers:
J.M.A., Member in Good Standing of the Connecticut Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
I would have to see the lease that you have and any documents that you may have signed off on as a result of the fire. I would say that you are not responsible for paying rent during this period since you could not use the apartment. If the landlord is telling you that you have to pay, ask them to cite you the section of the lease that deals with this. Without seeing the lease or other documents i cannot give you a definitive answer, but you should not have to pay when there was a fire that probibited you from accessing the property.
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