Fire in DBIL's apartment!

[UnderTheMistletoe]

We went into Georgetown, DC, for dinner last night with friends. We were on our way back to the underground garage and found firetrucks- like 8 of them- pulling into the one of the major intersections in Georgetown. Traffic was stopped. I could not believe people walking through the cross-walk right in the way of the firemen! But, that's another story. We decided there was no way we'd even be able to get out of the garage, let alone get out of Georgetown. So, we went and saw a movie. We still don't know what happened to them becuase we got home after the nightly news.

DH started getting calls in the middle of the movie about every 30 seconds from his brother. After the third one came through on both his private and work phones, we knew something was up. DH came back into the theater and told us that there was a fire in HIS (BIL) apartment in FLORIDA.

Apparently, his water heater was on fire when he came home. Thank goodness he left a window open becuase that's where he found both his cats sucking for air. We talked to him again late last night and it sounds like his washer and dryer, which were in the same utility room as the hot water heater, are not in good shape either. Everything else looks alright except damage to the apartment structure itself. Not his concern. He went to a hotel last night with both cats. Thankfully, he had a full fire extinguisher in the kitchen.... a Christmas gift from us.

DBIL is finished and wants out of the apartment. It's a year lease and he's only been there since December. When we called the non-emergency help number, they guy came up, looked at it and said, "Yep. That was a fire. You'll have to wait util Monday to talk to the girls in the office about it." Alas, at the equinox when the clocks changed, he called down to the office and said his smoke alarm wasn't working. They "fixed" it. It wasn't going off last night. He didn't check it after they were in the apartment to fix it becuase he just assumed they'd done it and it was operating. BIL was furious. I think he's already packing up his belongings and DH will help him move next week when we're in Florida, too.

Has anyone had to break lease before? Early? Should be asking for money to fix the washer and dryer? What about his deposits? What about the cost of the hotel nights until he is able to speak with the office and let them know his intent? The place isn't really habitable. He's on the third floor and there doesn't seem to be any trouble in the neighboring units. Any rental management people here that could shed a bit of light?

God forbid he had come home from work a little later or hadn't left that window open. Everyone should have a fire extinguisher and big box of baking soda in their house for fires, to!!!!!! You never, ever know when you will need it.

 

[ducklite]

I hope he has renters insurance. His lease more likely specifically states that he can't break it unless the place is uninhabitable for over "xx" days--usually 60-120. He won't be responsible for rent suring the time he can't inhabit it, but they aren't going to pay for any of his belongings or rent on another place in the meantime. If he can prove negligence on their part he *might* be able to recoup in small claims court, but he signed the lease which is a contract, and the court will take that into consideration--unless there is gross misconduct.

If he's got renters insurance it will replace his damaged belongings and pay a daily amount in rent towards another place while his is being repaired--less his deductible.

Anne