Tenants took my fridge and stove

Rental Property Investor · Port Saint Lucie, FL · Member since 2015 · 107 posts · 44 votes

Hi bp, question for you: I have a quadplex in Missouri, and i just had to go through my first eviction. The property management company pretty much took care of the eviction, however it cost about $1700 just to do the set out.

Once my PM company did the walk through, they discovered the fridge and stove missing. Also many of the windows were damaged beyond repair.

questions are:

1. Is there any legal process I can use to try to get money/damages from that tenant? Especially for stealing my appliances? Mind you we had to evict them for non-payment.

2. For the windows etc, would my insurance cover these items? Obviously with a deductible?

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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member

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Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes

Quote from @Scott Goulet:

the removal of personal property is considered theft, so file a police report.

The window damage doesn't typically count as vandalism since it was done by your tenant and may have happened long ago. If they blatantly damage the property on the way out the door, then it could constitute vandalism, result in criminal charges, and perhaps qualify for an insurance claim. The story below is a great example of deliberate damages that resulted in criminal charges. Be sure to watch the video!

https://www.kktv.com/2021/06/1...

The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews

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Alan AsriantsBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
I'm sure there is a legal way of trying to get those items back but you would be dealing with small claims court. Count your lucky stars they are out and move on. Tbh, you probably woulnt get those back in great condition and probably have to pay to throw them out.
Its possible you can have the windows covered, i guess it would be considered vandalism. Talk to your home insurance agent.
Hope this helps
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Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
Moderator
Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Scott Goulet:

the removal of personal property is considered theft, so file a police report.
The window damage doesn't typically count as vandalism since it was done by your tenant and may have happened long ago. If they blatantly damage the property on the way out the door, then it could constitute vandalism, result in criminal charges, and perhaps qualify for an insurance claim. The story below is a great example of deliberate damages that resulted in criminal charges. Be sure to watch the video!
https://www.kktv.com/2021/06/1...
The DIY Landlord Book4.7248 Reviews
Website View Page
3 Reply
Jacqueline Ray Soliz
Property Manager · Dallas · Member since 2021 · 19 posts · 10 votes
3y
I would recommend calling your insurance company and asking them what your policy covers. There are sometimes extensions that can be added to a Landlord's policy to cover vandalism, theft, plumbing- pipe bursting, etc. You may have to file the police report in order to file the claim with your insurance. Did they notice the appliances were missing during the setout? You can always have this charged back to their move-out, security deposit disposition. Then turn it over to a collection agency. It will go on their credit report however there's no guarantee you will collect.
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Eliott Elias
Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2021 · 9k+ posts · 5k+ votes
3y
Small claims court, not worth your time.
1 Reply
Bob S.
Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Scott Goulet:

Hi bp, question for you: I have a quadplex in Missouri, and i just had to go through my first eviction. The property management company pretty much took care of the eviction, however it cost about $1700 just to do the set out.

Once my PM company did the walk through, they discovered the fridge and stove missing. Also many of the windows were damaged beyond repair.
questions are:
1. Is there any legal process I can use to try to get money/damages from that tenant? Especially for stealing my appliances? Mind you we had to evict them for non-payment.

2. For the windows etc, would my insurance cover these items? Obviously with a deductible?

Move on you will not collect anything from them, its not worth it. I have delt with tenants like this for many years, just move on
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Theresa HarrisPro Member
Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
3y
Talk to your PM. You can try calling the police for the fridge and stove.
Your insurance company won't cover damage done by your tenants. Look for some gently used appliances and put them in the unit.
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Scott Goulet
OP
Rental Property Investor · Port Saint Lucie, FL · Member since 2015 · 107 posts · 44 votes
3y
Quote from @Jacqueline Ray Soliz:

I would recommend calling your insurance company and asking them what your policy covers. There are sometimes extensions that can be added to a Landlord's policy to cover vandalism, theft, plumbing- pipe bursting, etc. You may have to file the police report in order to file the claim with your insurance. Did they notice the appliances were missing during the setout? You can always have this charged back to their move-out, security deposit disposition. Then turn it over to a collection agency. It will go on their credit report however there's no guarantee you will collect.
They broke alot of other things so their security deposit is already spoken for with other things.
Those extensions you mentioned, I assume they are add on things to the original policy, so they would cost more? Correct?
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Richard F.
Honolulu, HI · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Scott Goulet:

The property management company pretty much took care of the eviction, however it cost about $1700 just to do the set out. Once my PM company did the walk through, they discovered the fridge and stove missing.
Aloha,
Who hired the movers for the "set out", and what did they do with the fridge and stove? Did the PM NOT instruct them to leave appliances, assuming they (PM) knew they belonged to you? Sounds more like the PM owes you...
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Bud Gaffney
Rental Property Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
@Scott Goulet small claims court.
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Tim J.
Investor · Vermont and New York · Member since 2023 · 308 posts · 309 votes
3y
absolutely file police report and small claims. People need to be held accountable.
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Carlton B.
Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 281 posts · 133 votes
3y
If you call the police maybe they will at least go and ask them about the appliances. So at the very least they see you are serious and maybe they will return them.
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Ned J.Pro Member
Investor · Manteca, CA · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
3y
I'd probably file a police report but you will never see a dime from small claims, so I would not bother.
At least you have an eviction on record for them
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