If a burgler broke a window and robbed my home, as a tenant am I responsible to replace the window?
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If a burgler broke a window and robbed my home, as a tenant am I responsible to replace the window?
My landlord wants me to pay for the broken window. I believe that is the landlord’s responsibility because they own the property.
Asked on April 23, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Maryland
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
The best way to answer your question is for you to carefully read the presumed written lease that you have for your rental with respect to who bears the costs of repairs for third party damage to the rental. If there is mention in the lease as to this issue then there is your answer. If not, ordinarily it is the landlord who would bear the costs for vandalism and damage caused to the rental by a third person or the elements.
For example, if a storm arose and a branch broke the window in the unit you occupy, the landlord should pay for the costs of the window to be replaced. The same should be true with the window broken by the burglar.
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