Who’s Liable For Loss

[Mike Kirby]

My Tenant just texted me and said that their freezer on the back porch went out and they lost 160 pounds of meat because the electrical plug stopped working. My electrician will fix it tomorrow but am I responsible for the 160 pounds of meat they supposedly lost? 

[Denise Supplee]

Hi @Mike Kirby, nice to meet you here on BP!

Generally, landlords aren’t responsible for damage to a tenant’s personal property, especially if the appliance  is their own and not provided as part of the lease. That said, it’s also good to consider the relationship. You’re not legally obligated to cover it, but depending on the tenant and circumstances, you might choose to offer a goodwill gesture (like a rent credit or partial reimbursement) to maintain goodwill—totally up to you.