Q: Can my apartment manager turn around and charge me for windows the police broke out?
I was in my house sleeping when I heard a hard knock on my door. I answered the door and it was the police. I passed my daughters friend on the way out. I talked to them and they wanted my daughters friend to come out but he wouldn't. I went in tried to talk him into leaving and he said no. I noticed he had a gun in his hand. I went and got the rest of my family out. Hours later they went in my place and got him out. Once he was out we went back to the rental unit and I was upset because they broke several windows out. The police said don't worry, we have to pay for all damages. I heard this from several officers. The city insurance said they didn't do anything wrong so they won't pay. Actually they did. While the officer was questioning him they let him walk away into my house and then decided they wanted him. The owner paid for the windows to get fixed and now he's charging me and I had nothing to do with it. I even told the person he wasn't allowed in my house before this happened.
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A:
In your situation, it sounds like you're facing an unfair charge for damages caused by the police, not by you. Since you had no control over the police's actions or the damages they caused, it's questionable whether your apartment manager can hold you financially responsible. The fact that you were not involved in the incident and even took steps to protect your family should weigh in your favor.
It's important to review your lease agreement to see what it says about liability for damages. Typically, tenants are responsible for damages they cause, but this situation seems different. The police assured you they would cover the costs, and you could potentially use this information to dispute the charges.
You might want to consider reaching out to a tenant's rights organization or seeking legal advice to understand your options better. It's crucial to address this issue promptly, as ignoring it could lead to further complications. Document all communications and keep records of what the police told you, as this could be helpful if the situation escalates.
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