Q: My apartment manager left my apartment unlocked after letting pest control through, and I had money stolen.
The apartment manager scheduled for pest control to do a heat treatment for bed bugs in my apartment. And I was told I needed to be out of my apartment early that morning. I took with me my plants and medication with me so they would not be damaged. I was not told that there were other things that needed to be removed from my apartment. The apartment manager had an employee come in and go thru my cupboards and closets. They removed spray bottles and cleaning products and put these items in a common area from which they were stolen. The apartment manager knows there is a problem with theft, yet didn't have my item put in a secure area.
And after pest control was through, my apartment was not locked, I found it unlocked upon arriving home at about 11pm. During this time $174.00 was taken out of a dresser drawer. Is the apartment manager liable for the loss of my money and household goods?
A: Arguably the apartment manager could be liable for theft of property caused by their failure to secure your apartment after gaining access. However, it is pretty difficult to prove the loss of cash. Perhaps you can reach an agreement with the manager for a rent credit.
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