Raccoons in the attic - Landlord Forum thread 324522

Raccoons in the attic by Dave (Iowa) on September 16, 2014 @13:30

I employ a man whose landlord wants him to pay for repairs to electrical service for the apartment that was damaged by raccoons that had gotten into the attic. Is that the renters responsibility?

[ Reply ] [ Return to forum ]

Re: Raccoons in the attic by Anonymous on September 16, 2014 @13:45	[ Reply ]

Iowa law on landlord tenant relations 62A.15 LANDLORD TO MAINTAIN FIT PREMISES. 1. The landlord shall: a. Comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety. b. Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition. c. Keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition. The landlord shall not be liable for any injury caused by any objects or materials which belong to or which have been placed by a tenant in the common areas of the premises used by the tenant. d. Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord. So unless the raccoon is the tenants pet and caused the damage, it seems that the landlord is responsible for repairs.

Re: Raccoons in the attic by anon on September 16, 2014 @13:53	[ Reply ]

I think your sentence qualifies as making no sense at all. Start over, please.

Re: Raccoons in the attic by Kim (WV) on September 16, 2014 @14:18	[ Reply ]

Don't know what the law says, but I believe it's the LL's responsibility to maintain the building envelope so that wild creatures don't enter and, if they do get in, to get them out and repair any damage. Usually they get in through holes they make in the soffit or siding (speaking from experience). Unless the tenant let the raccoons in (left the window open so they got in the attic or they were pets and got loose), then I think it would be the LL's responsibility. The tenant might be held responsible if he didn't notify the LL about the raccoons though. But, I'm not a lawyer and I'm not from Iowa. I'm just giving my opinion. Tell the person he ought to speak to an attorney about it.

Re: Raccoons in the attic

Re: Raccoons in the attic by Garry (Iowa) on September 16, 2014 @17:58	[ Reply ]

It is the LLs responsibility to keep out all the wild animals, and to repair any damage they do to the property if they do get in. Just politely tell the LL that you will not pay for the damages the raccoon caused. But you should ask him to get it repaired ASAP, as it is probably a fire hazard by now.

Re: Raccoons in the attic by Anonymous on September 17, 2014 @15:12	[ Reply ]

The only way I can imagine the tenant is responsible would be if he knew the critters were in the attic and he didn't report it immediately. Then the collateral damage caused by the critters during the time they went unreported by your tenant would be your tenant's financial responsibility.