boiler malfunction leading to major flooding on three floors - help

Hello Forum, We have been renting the garden, parlour and basement floors of a brownstone in Bklyn since the beginning of 2015\. This past weekend, while we were away, the building’s boiler had a major malfunction and began releasing massive amounts of water in the basement and through the pipes on all floors. The landlord called us on Sunday evening to let us know. Our kitchen cieling, and bedroom ceiling, amongst other fell over our belonging; And our basement/storage was flooded with 3 inches of water. There is also damage to personal property besides the fact that we cannot live there until its fixed (amount of time still unkown). We do not have renter’s insurance. We wanted to know what our rights as renters are. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you and best,

urbanmatrix

in Legal 9 years and 9 months ago

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urbanmatrix | 9 years and 9 months ago

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Thank you very much for replying. It was very useful. Sadly I realized too late the risk of not having renters insurance. Thankfully I have a very helpful landlord who has been more than generous. With that said, does anyone know of good renters insurance policies I should look at? Thanks again!

NeoGrec | 9 years and 9 months ago

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Sorry to hear this. Unfortunately most homeowners’ policies specifically exclude damage to renters’ possessions. It’s to avoid situations like this that we insist our tenants take out rental insurance. That said, you should discuss frankly with the landlord. You have moral suasion on your side!

sqhaexgkh | 9 years and 9 months ago

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Maybe see if you are covered under the landlords policy. Renters insurance is rather inexpensive, would get a policy asap.

boredatwork | 9 years and 9 months ago

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Maybe I am missing something here, but why couldnt you sue the landlord for damages to your property? You may have to prove that the landlord should have known (or did know) that the boiler was defective. You are certainly not required to pay rent if the place is uninhabitable. I would consult a lawyer to see what your options might be. Of course if you sue, you will not be able to return to the property.

no-permits | 9 years and 9 months ago

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you had the right to buy renters insurance. the landlord is not required to reimburse you in any kind of way.

bklyngirl | 9 years and 9 months ago

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With no renter’s insurance, it will be hard to get the landlord to give you anything back for your losses (unless he/she is trying to get you out and intentionally set the water loose which given the extent of damage I doubt). Just have a calm discussion to see if he/she will give you something back for your major losses and let you skip on a few months rent to cover the cost of a hotel until the place can be dried out and then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start again.

hmartha | 9 years and 9 months ago

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ehhhhhhhhh you can probably get out of paying rent during this time but this is the exact thing renter’s insurance is for…