I agree with sanfordy2. Document, document, document. I'm just wondering though, is the city culpable in a situation like that, or will your homeowners insurance cover it?
Sorry to hear it happened.
"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix,"
get the names etc of EVERYONE whos at your house,or on your property...agree with alva its of utmost importance that you document everything now then try to remenmber later
I was on the phone with my Dad who has Alzheimers and trying to help him straighten out an issue when I heard the "bang" Looked out my back window and said "oh shi*"
Anyways had my younger son go out right away and he took lots of pics in our yard and then I took the camera and took pics from the cities yard, have 23 pics in all.
called my insurance earlier, this was not an "act of God" as there was no wind, lightning etc. Letting my insurance deal with the city.
I would never have called my insurance company. The entire cost, including repair of your deck, is the responsibility of the city. Or should be. Now really, a billionaire chooses to buy a building and the mayor makes YOU pay for the demolition cost for a building that a billionaire chooses to demolish. The city fails to maintain a property that it owns which causes damage to your property -- I say that is exclusively the financial responsibility of the city as they are the only party responsible for the damage, especially since you contacted the city last year.
I always say "document" AND I almost always suggest (especially the city of Schenectady) sending mail by certified, return receipt. Don't let the mayor or his cronies weasel out of responsibility to the people. We've heard the term "body cams for cops." I think in Schenectady it's got to be "body cams for residents" to prove when you've spoken to them.
Keep us posted.
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
As a second thought, follow up with your insurance company, maybe just ask if they have an idea whether, from past experience, they could almost guarantee you it's 100% the city's fault and that nothing will show up as a claim that you put in that could affect your rates and/or future insurability.
The following are excerpts from city code that reference vacant buildings and the requirements that they be registered and the conditions that must be met:
Quoted Text
From Section 167-56-A
(3) The owner shall submit a vacant building plan which must meet the approval the Bureau of Code Enforcement. The plan, at a minimum, must contain information detailing one of the following three choices for the property:
(a) If the building is to be demolished, a demolition plan indicating the proposed time frame for demolition, not to exceed 180 days.
(b) If the building is to remain vacant, a plan for the securing of the building in accordance with standards provided in § 167-51.1, if applicable, along with the procedure that will be used to maintain the property in accordance with Chapters 138, 161, 167, 228, 258 and a statement of the reasons why the building will be left vacant.
(c) If the building is to be returned to appropriate occupancy or use, a rehabilitation plan for the property. The rehabilitation plan shall not exceed 365 days ...
...
(7) Failure of the owner or any subsequent owners to maintain the building and premises that results in remedial action taken by the City shall be grounds for revocation of the approved plan and shall be subject to any applicable penalties provided by the law.
...
The city is the owner of a vacant property. Is the city exempt from requirements to maintain the building and premises?
Certainly if the previous owner had still owned it and the tree fell, then the owner would be held responsible and the city would substantiate that, particularly if the city cited the owner for not maintaining the property.
So since the city owns AND you previously notified them AND the city failed to maintain the property, the city should be 100% responsible.
I'd pass that info to your insurance company but most important to be assured you are never negatively affected in any way in the future.
Optimists close their eyes and pretend problems are non existent. Better to have open eyes, see the truths, acknowledge the negatives, and speak up for the people rather than the politicos and their rich cronies.
"Approval ratings go up and down for various reasons... An example is the high post 911 support for GWB even though he could be said to be responsible for the event." --- Box A Rox '9/11 Truther'
Melania is a bimbo... she is there to look at, not to listen to. --- Box A Rox and his 'War on Women'
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