Location: Connecticut
Yesterday there was a fire in my apartment building, but not my unit. I was displaced overnight and told verbally this morning that I’d be in a hotel until Tuesday. This evening I received a document to sign stating that my unit has been cleared by the fire marshal, and that by occupying, I agree to accept the unit in as-is condition, voluntarily accept responsibility for cleaning, deodorizing, and mitigating any smoke-related odors, any damage to personal property will be addressed through my renters insurance, and I release and hold harmless the management company/landlord/etc from issues related to air quality, smoke damage, or other fire-related conditions.
I am not sure what to do here. I have no idea how bad the smoke damage is, just that it smells smoky. I don’t want to be responsible for the damage. I do have renters insurance and have filed a claim but not yet provided all the supporting information. Does this document just mean that the renters insurance pays to clean/deodorize? It seems sketchy.
I can’t move out tonight, I didn’t get the email until this evening, and realistically can’t move out tomorrow (I have a lot of furniture and would need a moving company and somewhere to put it). They did not give me a deadline to reply by, or deadline to remove my items. Any advice on how to proceed?
I am on a month to month lease, and am meant to give 30 days notice before moving out.
Thanks
Comments
DO NOT SIGN THIS!!! You are taking on an unknown amount of liability and if you sign it , say you move out 2 years from now… I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re hit with a several thousand dollar bill saying you were negligent in the process to fix the condition
Ct Law says they have to give you a 30 day notice to vacate when you’re on a month to month lease before filing an eviction assuming you haven’t defaulted on your lease. I’m not sure if they have to respect the 30 days with the fire situation. But forcing you to sign this document seems unethical to me