ComplaintsforMichies Self Storage

• Initial Complaint

  04/26/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I stored the contents of my condominium in an indoor (top floor) storage unit at *********I checked on my items every so often, once noticing water on the hallway floor (it was raining) a few units away from mine and notified the office.When I went to remove my items from storage and move them back to my condo, upon entering the storage room I discovered most of my items destroyed, rotted, discolored, moldy, etc. due to a leak in the roof. It was quite obvious, from a square patch of new plywood in the ceiling of unit, and debris all over the top of my items, that roofers had cut and replaced a section of the roof.So, in hiring a roofing company to fix the roof (which *******'s personal confirmed to me) they obviously knew that the roof was leaking, but failed to either inform me (to move my items) or for them to move/protect my items.I realize that storage units are not typically responsible for damage to stored items, but one major exception is in the case of negligence; failure of the facility to properly maintain the property and protect stored items from water leakage.I have given Mitchies ample time to resolve this issue (started Dec. 18th, 2023), at first they were responding to my emails, and said they where trying to get either the roofing company's insurance, or theirs, to cover my damages. They now have stopped responding to my (repeated) emails.

  Business response

  05/13/2024

  ********************************* stored his furniture here with us at Michies Self-Storage from 7/26/2019 and moved out on 12/26/2023. He stored furniture from his condominium at **********The condo was being repaired due to Hurricane ****** back in 2017. Upon move out he stated that there was a noticeable roof repair in his storage unit and that his furniture was damaged and irreparable. We have been in contact by email, since December 18, 2023, and although he states I was not responding, I had responded to most of his emails.  If there was delay, it was because I did not have answers/information to give him at the time.   I have documented that ******************** sent emails on 12/18/23, 12/29/23, 1/5/24, 1/9/24, 1/20/24, 3/7/24, 3/27/24, and 4/23/24. I also have documented responses from me to his emails on 12/21/23, 12/28/23,12/29/23, 1/22/24, 1/30/24, 2/12/24 and 4/29/24. ******************** had stated that the roof leak was negligent on our part here at Michies and stated that it would be fair to reimburse him $2700.00 for 2.5 years of rent @ $90.00/month,otherwise he would file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and pursue legal action.

  
  At this time I was speaking with the owners of Michies and our Insurance Agent to advise what steps to take next. ******************** stated that we knowingly had roofers fix a repair over his roof, which he stated was negligent on our part, but this was not the case. He claimed that we knew the roof was leaking and failed to properly maintain the facility, but this is also not accurate. We were in the process of properly maintaining our roofs, as we had contracted Top Line World Construction to re-coat roofs of 4 of our main buildings with Astec Roofing.This project started in February of 2021 and continued through approximately May 2021. There were occasional rainstorms that came through, and leaks were noticed and repaired by the roofers as the project continued. We werent always informed as to which units the leaks were repaired over, unless the units were empty and/or could clearly see water coming in.  We did our best to rectify the problem and make sure Tenants belongings were not damaged, were covered with tarps and /or moved to a dry unit. We were not notified by our roofers that Mr. ********* unit, #***, had a serious leak that had been repaired, so unfortunately we had no way of knowing that there were items that needed to be moved or protected.How would we know if they did not inform us? ******************** did send pictures of the damaged furniture, but there is no way for us to know what condition the furniture was in, when it was moved in to our facility, as his condo was being renovated due to a previous Hurricane in 2017.

  
   Im also attaching a copy of ******* contract that clearly states that Michies Self-Storage is not to be held liable for the contents of Tenants belongings, under any circumstances. This release of owners liability includes fire, smoke, dust, water, weather, insects, vermin,explosion, utility interruption, equipment malfunction, unexplained disappearance, negligence of owner or owners agents, theft by others, or any other cause, unless such is prohibited by law. This paragraph was initialed and the contract was signed by ******************** on July 26, 2019.  Back on 12/21/23, my first reply to *******************, per the owners of Michies, we had offered to reimburse him 6 months of rent at $90/month or to clean the furniture that was damaged, but he was not happy with this amount of reimbursement, he replied that $2700 would be a fair amount to replace all of the furniture.

  
  As of January 30, 2024, we heard back from our roofers, Top Line World Construction.  They explained that their insurance policy would not cover a claim for someones belongings. On February 12, 2024, I forwarded all of the pictures ******************** had sent us to try and submit a claim through our Insurance agent through ********************** and she stated that our insurance would not cover a claim for belongings because 1. It would fall under the roofers responsibility/insurance. And 2. ******************** initialed and signed a contract stating that in no way is Michies Self-Storage responsible for belongings stored.

  
  On 4/23/24, ******************* sent another email stating that he would like a response, or he would have resort to a BBB Complaint and then legal action, and to tell the owners that he would settle for 2 years of rent reimbursement for a total of $2,160.00,to get this matter resolved. He said in his email, I do believe that will save them money if I am forced to pursue legal action. The owners did not agree to any reimbursement at this point, and said the offer is off the table at this time, since threats were made toward our company.
  
  
  Today, May 13, 2024, I found a copy of Top Line World Constructions Certificate of ******************* and forwarded a copy by email to ******************** explaining that he can try to pursue the roofers, submit a claim to his TWIA Insurance, or ***************** for the damage caused to his furniture and that Michies Self-Storage was going to consider this case closed, as we are not responsible and have exhausted all options.

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