Jacksonville, FL asked in Landlord - Tenant for Florida

Q: Can we be held responsible for damage caused to a place we are renting?

When we moved into out place there was already a washer and dryer installed. At the time the washer did work properly, it would not go through a complete cycle and it was leaking. The landlord stated that it was not his, it was left over from the previous tenants so he would not fix it. He told us to put it on the side of the road. Well we needed a washer and dryer so we decided to keep them and just get the washer fixed. We got it fixed or so we thought. Now the washer is leaking again and the ceiling downstairs has started to leak as well. The water spots were already there when we moved in. So the damage to the structure was already there from the previous tenant. My question is, can we be held responsible for the water damage from the washer since it's technically not ours and the major damage was caused by the previous tenant who actually owned the washer?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Robert Jason De Groot
Robert Jason De Groot
Answered
  • Deltona, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: Will this even get to that stage where you would be held responsible? Probably not, but in case it does, my answer is yes, you can be held responsible, at least partially.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.