Ithaca, NY asked in Car Accidents and Landlord - Tenant for New York

Q: I scraped my landlord's car on March 31st. I immediately checked the car and did not see any damage. More below.

She responded quickly and informed me she did not see any damage either - not to worry it was okay and would park better in the future. Last Thursday, an itemized estimate for car repair was left on my kitchen table without any notice, entering my apartment without notice. This is over 35 days later and she is persistently filing for me to pay for the damage after she said there was not any. I do not know what to know I need help. I am a veterinary student at Cornell and there is more to this story I just really need help

1 Lawyer Answer
Sandra M. Colatosti
Sandra M. Colatosti
Answered
  • ALBANY, NY
  • Licensed in New York

A: This is not really a landlord-tenant matter, although she should not have entered your apartment without your permission. You should tell her that you do not feel that you should pay the bill because it was agreed at the time of the incident that there was no damage to the car. If she, nevertheless, feels that there was damage to the car, she can take you to small claims court, provided the amount is under $5000 and she would have to prove that you caused damage to her car.

Elaine Shay agrees with this answer

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