Property Damage CA - Fire Damage Repairs

[pfoley83]

Hi, I have a quick question. About 1 year ago my son and another tenant's child caused some fire damage. My landlord did not file an insurance claim, but had his neghibor perform the work instead. I have come to find out he is not a licensed contractor and has an expired bussisnes license. He wants me to pay for half of the damage. But what am I truly responsible for? I feel as if this was a personal favor his neighbor performed, and I shouldn't have to pay since the ammount they have given me keeps changing and it was a personal debt. BTW I'm located in Modesto, Ca

You and the other parents of the other boy jointly and severally owe ALL of the fire damage repairs. A licensed contractor would cost you much more. Pay for your child's damages and get a signed release of any further liability. Then have your child work off the debt to teach him the lesson that he must pay the consequences for his actions. Hopefully he will learn this and never do such a dangerous thing again.

(Having just finished repairing fire damage such as this due to a tenant's negligent use of an oil lamp, I can tell you these repairs are not cheap!)