We have a situation where a tenant in a townhouse has reversed out of there garage in their car and has hit the garage door causing damage to the garage door and surrounds and their car. They are saying the door was faulty and dropped down when they were reversing out… Who is responsible for the costs of the damage? The tenant, landlord or strata? – Kirk, NSW

Q: We have a situation where a tenant in a townhouse has reversed out of there garage in their car and has hit the garage door causing damage to the garage door and surrounds and their car. They are saying the door was faulty and dropped down when they were reversing out. We had a professional garage door technician come out and inspect and report. The report states that it appears that the driver reversed out to quickly as there was no fault with the motor which does not need replacing, only the door. Who is responsible for the costs of the damage? The tenant, landlord or strata? The tenant is also saying they want the damage to their car covered as well. Please advise me of any information in relation to the above matter.

A: If there is solid evidence that the damage was caused by the tenant and it was not due to a garade door/motor malfunction, you may be able to hold the tenant or the landlord liable.

Without camera footage, it may be difficult to prove that the tenant reversed into the garage door. However, the inspection and report from the professional technician may be enough so that strata does not have to cover the cost of repairs.