Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Florida

Damages due to burglary

The house I was renting was burglarized, and the intruders broke down the front door and tore the screen on the back screen door. The front door was as a result unusable: It would not even close due to the extensive damage to the wood, and the doorknob and lock were completely torn out. The landlord replaced the front door the next morning, however made no repairs to the screen door. When I moved out four months later, the landlord returned my security deposit less $300 for the replacement of the front door and $25 for repairs to the screen door. Can I be held responsible for these damages caused by the burglary? A police report was filed at the time.


Asked on 8/13/02, 1:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Peter Gonzalez Sanchez-Medina, Gonzalez, Quesada, Lage, Crespo, Gomez & MachadoLLP

Re: Damages due to burglary

It depends on the terms of the written lease agreement. Arguably, if the burglary occurred, in part, because of failure to institute basic security measures by the landlord, the landlord may be wholly or partially responsible for the loss. Read you lease. However, based on the money in question, hiring a lawyer may be throwing away good money after bad. Good luck.

Read more
Answered on 8/13/02, 2:40 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Real Estate and Real Property questions and answers in Florida