if i rented a home and we had a house fire but no renters insurance and the landlord?

Question

collected on our personal belongings.Come to find out he never had us down as renting the home.He had told the insurance company no one was living there.But he had his personal belongings there like in storage or something from when he previous lived there.I was told that he collected 52,000 from our personal belongings .After the house got back into living coditions he sold it.The fire was due to old wiring in the attic.The landlord was married to my husbands kids grandmother.So this is how we knew what he collected on personal belongings.My step son had seen the form that came from his insurance company.The fire was in october 2006 but I cant stand the thought of how he got away with this.Even if I dont get anything I dont think its right for him to be able to collected money off of my stuff.Is there anything that I can do to make him pay for evil ways.I know its been a long time now but im just finding out that he never had anything stating that the home was lived in.We always paid him cash for rent.The gas and eletric was in my name during my years of living there.We lived there for 3 years.Thank you.

Landlord · Accepted Answer

You never were entitled to any money, so you would still not be entitled.

The SOL has passed in most states, but if it has not in his state and his insurance company wants to press charges they could.    They would have a hard time winning this far out though, even assuming they are interested.   They likely are not over such a small amount of money.

Anonymous · Answer

I think you can stop paying rent. First, most or all states have laws saying that you can end a lease early if their premises are not habitable and the landlord does not fix them within a few days. Second, if the lease is 12 months and the landlord is not letting you live there for 9 of the 12 months, I don't think he is entitled to get 12 months rent from you.

? · Answer

Omg!!!!! How upsetting is this!?!?!?! Well u know he can get arrested for making a fraudulent insurance claim. I think u need to tell him...."Look....I found the paper stating u got $$$ from something that was not my fault and my stuff" u should tell him if he doesn't give u what's rightfully yours u will notify authorities. I know its been a while but A) u have proof u were living there. B) I am sure u can get banks statements or something showing u were pulling out cash from ur account for the rent. C) Unless he wants to go to jail he should cooperate. I mean I understand he needs to keep money to repair but....he sold the house!!!! He got money that should've been yours. U needed the money to get new stuff!!!! Wtf! Ugh. Well I hope I was somewhat helpful to u. Good luck!

Anonymous · Answer

If you know where he got his insurance you might contact the insurance company. Other than that all I can think for you to do is get a lawyer. You should not be left with nothing which is how it sounds in your post.

Classy Granny · Answer

You should have had renters insurance for your own belongings. As for what he did, it was fraud, but it's probably been to long to do anything about it.

Anonymous · Answer

If you know who his insurance company is/was, you can let them know.  This is insurance fraud and they will prosecute this to the fullest extent.

You will be required to give a deposition and perhaps testify, so you may not be able to do this anonymously.

s and d e · Answer

You can turn him in to the insurance company for fraud. You have no right to the money he received for your stuff. You should have had renters insurance.

D.E.B.S. · Answer

Insurance fraud has steep penalties including jail time.  You decide whether you want him behind bars or not.

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if i rented a home and we had a house fire but no renters insurance and the landlord?

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