What are my responsibilities and my landlord's responsibilities in the aftermath of a flood?

August 30, 2011 7:54 PM

What are my responsibilities and my landlord's responsibilities in the aftermath of a flood?

This is in New Jersey. My apartment flooded (six inches of water) during Irene. I have flood insurance. I have been told that I have to move everything that's on the floor of my apartment out in the next few days. I am expected to pay for movers and the storage unit, but these things should be covered under my insurance. I will not be able to return to my apartment for at least a week and a half as the floors have to be redone (at my landlord's expense and under his insurance).

I have a $1,000.00 deductible on my flood insurance. I assume that this is my responsibility and my problem, right? Even though I'm only paying to move stuff out so that my landlord can do the floors?

Also, my apartment will not be habitable for at least a week and a half. I have a place to stay, but if I didn't would my landlord have to put me up in a hotel? Am I responsible for rent for this time period?

Please, no guesses based on your experiences in another state or what you think is fair. I'm looking for facts. Thanks.

posted by anonymous to Home & Garden (3 answers total)

I think, if you want facts, then you should call your insurance company and landlord. I'm not trying to be snarky here, but it can be different based on the company.
posted by erstwhile at 7:56 PM on August 30, 2011 [2 favorites]

What does your lease say? What does your insurance contract say? This is a legal question, which means that the answer is either in your lease or in the laws of your state or in your insurance contract, and probably some combination of the three.
posted by decathecting at 7:57 PM on August 30, 2011

You could call the NJ Attorneys General office to find out.

Here's some info about Tenant's rights
posted by fyrebelley at 8:07 PM on August 30, 2011