IfI broke the glass top stove in my rental, now what?
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IfI broke the glass top stove in my rental, now what?
I am renting a house with other roommates by campus. I accidentally dropped a can onto a glass top stove and cracked it. I know I am responsible for paying for it but am I responsible for a replacement or value of the stove that I broke? Because he would get a new stove, which is better than the original (7-8 years old). So I shouldn’t need to pay for the full price of a new stove right? Or do I?
Asked on January 10, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Wisconsin
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You would be responsible for damages but you are correct. While your landlord would attempt to charge you the full price (replacement), you would need to show the landlord that he is actually only entitled to replacement value of the stove when it broke, reduced by the use and age of the stovetop. This is called depreciation. So you need to make sure you get this across to the landlord or at least involve your state's consumer protection agency that handles landlord tenant matters.
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