Rats totaled tenants car - Am I at any fault?

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Rats totaled tenants car - Am I at any fault?

Christian Allen
Investor · Providence, RI · Member since 2016 · 77 posts · 65 votes

I own a 3 family house with a driveway in an dense area of the city. Recently one of my tenants had an issue where rats had eaten through her car and caused enough damage that they considered it totaled (2019 Subaru ~$20k). I have done my best to put poison, traps, and ultrasonic noise makers to try to keep the rats away from her car but they are a problem throughout this part of the city due to it's location to a large area of restaurants and bars. 

The tenants has been trying to blame me for the damage to her car but I dont feel I am responsible since the rats are not living in the house and I have done all I can to remedy the issue.

Not sure how to help the situation, I obviously feel bad for her but it is a matter between her car insurance provider and her, correct? Do I share any fault?

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Jim K.
Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
5y
Originally posted by @Steve K.:

Subaru uses soy-based wire insulation that attracts rats. There was a class action lawsuit about this a few years ago, I believe. Tell her to research that, and contact her car insurance company. 

That's just soy stupid...

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  • Scott M.
    Real Estate Broker · Rochester Hills, MI · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5y

    If you own a home that has a tree on the lot and tree falls and destroys someone's car the person who owns the car still needs to call their insurance company and figure it out with them.  This is no different.  Doesn't mean their insurance company won't come after your insurance company but in the end the two insurance companies sort it out.  

    I would say no, you are not responsible as there isn't something as clear as in the example above.  But my guess is the process will be the same.  Pointing the finger at you will be a challenge but still it will come down to the two insurance co's figuring it out.

    4Reply
  • Nick C.
    Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2011 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5y

    This is why people pay for car insurance. The car insurance company will try to find a way out of paying the claim. They may contact you first and demand payment. This is why people pay for property insurance. Have them contact your insurance company and let them argue about who has to pay. 

    My guess is you have no fault here, but that's just an opinion.

    1Reply
  • Scott Mac
    Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    5y

    In an old movie, Willard commanded the Rats to attack people and things like a little Army--I doubt you are commanding any rats.

    Car outdoors, rats outdoors, seems like part of nature, like the rain and snow.

    Unless you are secretly commanding your own Rat Army like Willard in the movie.

    Maybe next time she should buy a more Rat Resistant car because something must draw them to her car--the neighbors cars are not being consumed by Rats.

    See if the interior is stacked high with old fast food leftovers. KFC bones in boxes and half eaten McD Cheeseburgers, or etc...because as far as I now, there is nothing a car is made from that a Rat would find tasty...they are probably trying to get at some kind of tasty TRASH inside of it.  

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8Gn98fbeMs

    6Reply
  • Christian Allen
    OP
    Investor · Providence, RI · Member since 2016 · 77 posts · 65 votes
    5y

    Thanks for the feedback everyone. I agree with all your responses. It was not my negligence that caused the rats to choose her car over the 3 others which are parked in the driveway. I've taken as my steps as I could to help resolve the issue but in the end if the rats have a reason to want to be in the car they will find a way. I will let the insurance companies work it out if needed. 

    1Reply
  • Bjorn AhlbladPro Member
    Investor · Shelton, WA · Member since 2017 · 6k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    5y

    These cute guys invaded my truck on 3 occasions and lived under the hood and in the air vents I had a hard time getting them out. They are so darned cute you can't hurt them!

    1Reply
  • Scott M.
    Real Estate Broker · Rochester Hills, MI · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    5y

    Squirrel Hides Over 150 Pounds of Nuts in Chevy Truck in Four Days (thedrive.com)

    3Reply
  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Scott Mac:

    In an old movie, Willard commanded the Rats to attack people and things like a little Army--I doubt you are commanding any rats.

    Car outdoors, rats outdoors, seems like part of nature, like the rain and snow.

    Unless you are secretly commanding your own Rat Army like Willard in the movie.

    Maybe next time she should buy a more Rat Resistant car because something must draw them to her car--the neighbors cars are not being consumed by Rats.

    See if the interior is stacked high with old fast food leftovers. KFC bones in boxes and half eaten McD Cheeseburgers, or etc...because as far as I now, there is nothing a car is made from that a Rat would find tasty...they are probably trying to get at some kind of tasty TRASH inside of it.  

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8Gn98fbeMs

    One of my bizz partners dealt with this..  He leaves his Ferrari in the garage in La Quinta for summer comes back 5 months later and rats had chewed through his electrical system to the tune of 30k.. .  they have daily house cleaners even when they are not there so it was not a issue with waste attracting them  :)

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    2Reply
  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Scott M.:

    Squirrel Hides Over 150 Pounds of Nuts in Chevy Truck in Four Days (thedrive.com)

    We had a house in the Sierra Nevada mtns. pac rats filled the walls no need for insulation. 

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    3Reply
  • Steve K.
    Realtor · Boulder, CO · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    5y

    Subaru uses soy-based wire insulation that attracts rats. There was a class action lawsuit about this a few years ago, I believe. Tell her to research that, and contact her car insurance company. 

    6Reply
  • Andrew S.
    Investor · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 708 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Bjorn Ahlblad:

    These cute guys invaded my truck on 3 occasions and lived under the hood and in the air vents I had a hard time getting them out. They are so darned cute you can't hurt them!

    Chipmunks are just as destructive as rats - zapp it, or you will regret.....  my cat's favorite thing to hunt are chipmunks, so you might try that route....

    1Reply
  • Account Closed
    Investor · Scottsdale Austin Tuktoyaktuk · Member since 2021 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Steve K.:

    Subaru uses soy-based wire insulation that attracts rats. There was a class action lawsuit about this a few years ago, I believe. Tell her to research that, and contact her car insurance company. 

    That's so they can "save the planet". Lol

    1Reply
  • Patrick HancockPro Member
    Real Estate Broker · Orlando, FL · Member since 2018 · 101 posts · 108 votes
    5y

    @Christian Allen interesting one! I would say you are not at fault, their insurance company should be contacted and the argument can be made that those pesky rodents came from somewhere else other than your property.

    [email protected]407-808-0899
    0Reply
  • Alan Ouellette
    Member since 2021 · 44 posts · 27 votes
    5y

    @Christian Allen

    I would agree with several of the above. She needs to talk with her insurance company. I would cya and have documentation, like receipts for all the mitigation you do, to show you are putting in a good effort. Other than that, maybe seek out a rodent professional.

    Good luck!

    0Reply
  • Alan Ouellette
    Member since 2021 · 44 posts · 27 votes
    5y

    @Christian Allen

    Also, check with your insurance too. See what kind of coverage you might have concerning this. Can't hurt.

    0Reply
  • Scott Mac
    Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Jay Hinrichs:
    Originally posted by @Scott Mac:

    In an old movie, Willard commanded the Rats to attack people and things like a little Army--I doubt you are commanding any rats.

    Car outdoors, rats outdoors, seems like part of nature, like the rain and snow.

    Unless you are secretly commanding your own Rat Army like Willard in the movie.

    Maybe next time she should buy a more Rat Resistant car because something must draw them to her car--the neighbors cars are not being consumed by Rats.

    See if the interior is stacked high with old fast food leftovers. KFC bones in boxes and half eaten McD Cheeseburgers, or etc...because as far as I now, there is nothing a car is made from that a Rat would find tasty...they are probably trying to get at some kind of tasty TRASH inside of it.  

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8Gn98fbeMs

    One of my bizz partners dealt with this..  He leaves his Ferrari in the garage in La Quinta for summer comes back 5 months later and rats had chewed through his electrical system to the tune of 30k.. .  they have daily house cleaners even when they are not there so it was not a issue with waste attracting them  :)

    What an Odd Behavior....Ferrari--maybe they thought it was Spaghetti.

    Most of the time if a rat bites a wire in a building, it's going to get the shock of it's life 120v.

    And so many people buy a Ferrari and it sets in the Garage collecting WAX hardly ever driven, just trickle charging until some hungry Rat comes up and takes a big bite out of the Spaghetti.

    0Reply
  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Bjorn Ahlblad:

    They are so darned cute you can't hurt them!

     I have no problem.... get a 5 gal bucket of water with a wood ramp to the top. Smear a little peanut butter down on the wall of the bucket....they will fall in and drown. After a few do this the rest seem to get the message.....

    1Reply
  • Jim K.
    Handyman · Pittsburgh, PA · Member since 2018 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Steve K.:

    Subaru uses soy-based wire insulation that attracts rats. There was a class action lawsuit about this a few years ago, I believe. Tell her to research that, and contact her car insurance company. 

    That's just soy stupid...

    7Reply
  • Mike Dymski
    Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Steve K.:

    Subaru uses soy-based wire insulation that attracts rats. There was a class action lawsuit about this a few years ago, I believe. Tell her to research that, and contact her car insurance company. 

    most on-point reply the year!

    2Reply
  • Carlos Gonzalez
    Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2015 · 346 posts · 170 votes
    5y

    @Steve K.

    This is the answer I was looking for!

    0Reply
  • Tim Miller
    Rental Property Investor · Laurel, MD · Member since 2016 · 383 posts · 382 votes
    5y

    @Christian Allen Insde would be your problem to a point but outside, all bets are off. Tell your tenant you're sorry this happened to her but there is nothing you can or could have done to prevented this. If she doesn't like that answer, tell her to give you her move out date and find a new tenant. You don't have to deal with her attitude! Good luck!

    0Reply
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