Is the landlord liable for damages if the basketball hoop at my rental fell onto my car and damaged it?

Is the landlord liable for damages if the basketball hoop at my rental fell onto my car and damaged it?

I rent a house and the landlord left a portable basketball hoop there when we moved in. Then 2 weeks ago, due to high winds, the hoop fell on my parked car and caused $530 in damages. Our auto policy covers it but we have a $500 deductible. I asked the landlord if I could write it off against the rent and he told me that he will not be paying for any damages. This is not my basketball hoop. Shouldn’t he be liable and pay for the deductible?

Asked on March 8, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Massachusetts

Answers:

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