Apartment Fires: Responsibility Versus Ownership

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

An apartment fire in Memphis, Tennessee, can create many victims in the community, leaving tenants scavenging for salvageable items and wondering how they'll rectify the situation. Fire damage for residential owners is straightforward, but it can get confusing when it comes to investment properties and renters.

Who is Responsible During a Fire?

1. Structure 

The property owner is likely responsible for the structure, meaning tenants don't need to worry about rebuilding their dwellings. Unfortunately, restoration work can take a while, which means that renters are responsible for finding another place to live.

2. Electrical and Plumbing

An apartment fire can cause significant damage to the electrical and plumbing systems; the responsibility is on the owner. As the property owner, both the structure and the habitability of that structure are their responsibility. However, this may be troubling if discovered that the fire was intentional or due to renter negligence.

3. Personal Property

The property owner isn't responsible for a tenant's personal belongings. Most renters will have or should have renter's insurance, which should cover personal property loss. These policies will either cover the cost to replace the items or the true value of the items.

4. Restoration

The property is the responsibility of the owner; the restoration expense is their responsibility. Their insurance policy should cover the cost to hire a disaster restoration specialist in the Memphis, Tennessee, area. However, this does depend on whether the fire is an accident, neglect, or criminal intent. While it's difficult to understand which covers fire expenses, it results in ownership. The property owner or landlord is responsible for the building, and the renter is responsible for their personal property. Remember, it does depend on the cause of the fire and whether it's criminal or accidental.