₦airaland Forum

Mamaafrik1:
The tenant may have the right to take legal action, depending on the details.

Here’s how it generally works

⚖️ 1. Duty of Care by the Landlord
In places like Lagos, landlords have a legal duty to maintain the property in a safe condition. This includes:

Proper installation of heavy structures (like water tanks and scaffolding)

Regular inspection and maintenance

Fixing hazards that could foreseeably cause harm

If that scaffolding collapsed due to poor construction, rust, overloading, or lack of maintenance, the landlord could be considered negligent.

🚗 2. Damage to Personal Property
The tenant’s car is private property, so if it was damaged because of unsafe conditions on the premises, the tenant can potentially claim:

Cost of repairs or full replacement (if beyond repair)

Compensation for inconvenience or loss of use

🧾 3. What the Tenant Needs to Prove
To succeed legally, the tenant would typically need to show:

The structure was unsafe or defective

The landlord (or their agent) knew or should have known about the risk

The collapse directly caused the damage

Video evidence (like the one he recorded) is actually very helpful.

🏢 4. Possible Legal Actions
The tenant can:

Report the issue and demand compensation from the landlord first

File a civil claim for negligence if the landlord refuses

In serious cases, involve local authorities if the building violates safety regulations

⚠️ 5. Important Note
If the collapse was caused by something completely unexpected (like extreme weather or third-party interference), liability might be less clear. But structural failure of something like a water tank platform usually points toward maintenance or design issues.

Ogbeni, please who beg you do do this AI copy and paste? Wetin be this nitori olorun

From the video the space in the compound is tight. The car could have been affected no matter where he parked the car.

First of all the materials are substandard

Then the weight was more than what the scaffolding could carry

The tight space in the compound

Landlord can actually be sued.

Osanoghodua1:
Which is better between Iron or using cement, gravel and rods to run this water reservoir?

someone said blocks stand is better

Mamaafrik1:
The tenant may have the right to take legal action, depending on the details.

Here’s how it generally works

⚖️ 1. Duty of Care by the Landlord
In places like Lagos, landlords have a legal duty to maintain the property in a safe condition. This includes:

Proper installation of heavy structures (like water tanks and scaffolding)

Regular inspection and maintenance

Fixing hazards that could foreseeably cause harm

If that scaffolding collapsed due to poor construction, rust, overloading, or lack of maintenance, the landlord could be considered negligent.

🚗 2. Damage to Personal Property
The tenant’s car is private property, so if it was damaged because of unsafe conditions on the premises, the tenant can potentially claim:

Cost of repairs or full replacement (if beyond repair)

Compensation for inconvenience or loss of use

🧾 3. What the Tenant Needs to Prove
To succeed legally, the tenant would typically need to show:

The structure was unsafe or defective

The landlord (or their agent) knew or should have known about the risk

The collapse directly caused the damage

Video evidence (like the one he recorded) is actually very helpful.

🏢 4. Possible Legal Actions
The tenant can:

Report the issue and demand compensation from the landlord first

File a civil claim for negligence if the landlord refuses

In serious cases, involve local authorities if the building violates safety regulations

⚠️ 5. Important Note
If the collapse was caused by something completely unexpected (like extreme weather or third-party interference), liability might be less clear. But structural failure of something like a water tank platform usually points toward maintenance or design issues.

.... the only sensible answer here, negligence was on the part of the Landlord. Putting five tanks on that structure was unsafe, in an ideal world the installers should have carried out a stress test to determine whether the frame can support the load.

osazsky:
The tenant should hold the landlord,the landlord should hold the wielders the wielders shout hold the retailer he sourced his material from..the retailer should hold d wholesalers the wholesalers should go to China and hold them responsible for giving him fake materials at a very cheap rate

It doesn't work like that. The main persons responsible for the failure is the landlord and the fabrictor/engineer of the project. When the landlord puts a cap of how much he's willing to spend on a project, the fabricator/engineer should refuse the job if he knows the cost can't make the designed capacity. Failure to adhere to this principle makes him culpable in this disaster. Nigerians will be ready to build a house with broom sticks if they're told it can made to LOOK like a solid block structure and it would be cheap. They lack the understanding that load bearing structure WILL FAIL if not properly calculated and accounted for while building. This usually results to 3X cost of the first compared to doing it correctly the first time.
The supplier is only implicated if he sells the wrong description to them instead of the right on they asked in the first place. This is where the experience of the fabricator/engineer comes into play. He should be able to tell that the product presented by the seller isn't the right capacity despite the claims made.
Construction and fabrication isn't something to be careless with. It will cost plenty lives and resources if it fails. A doctors mistake may kill one person or a few but an engineers will kill multitude.

IamAtAnger:
Person nor dey sleep no wake up for life again?.... omor d way una attach to materialistic things ehn. Well most of una never really see life sha

Of course, life happens, we all know that. But no one prays for such bad things.

For now, you should be thankful it didn't come towards the building.

Fejoku:
It doesn't work like that. The main persons responsible for the failure is the landlord and the fabrictor/engineer of the project. When the landlord puts a cap of how much he's willing to spend on a project, the fabricator/engineer should refuse the job if he knows the cost can't make the designed capacity. Failure to adhere to this principle makes him culpable in this disaster. Nigerians will be ready to build a house with broom sticks if they're told it can made to LOOK like a solid block structure and it would be cheap. They lack the understanding that load bearing structure WILL FAIL if not properly calculated and accounted for while building. This usually results to 3X cost of the first compared to doing it correctly the first time.
The supplier is only implicated if he sells the wrong description to them instead of the right on they asked in the first place. This is where the experience of the fabricator/engineer comes into play. He should be able to tell that the product presented by the seller isn't the right capacity despite the claims made.
Construction and fabrication isn't something to be careless with. It will cost plenty lives and resources if it fails. A doctors mistake may kill one person or a few but an engineers will kill multitude.

You are right on point bro. The landlord is the culprit here. If the tenant sues the landlord, it's up to the landlord to either rope in the fabricator or not.

Besides, we don't do things right in this country. And this is where regulations come into play. But unfortunately, those who are to carry out the regulatory oversight are also corrupt. If the entire structure, (building and the tank stand inclusive), was certified and the end of the construction, this might have been prevented because the landlord would have been mandated to reconstruct the stand if it didn't meet the acceptable standards.

But Nigeria and regulations are two parallel lines.

No one ever prays for any bad thing that might have to them before... so that's why sometimes u count ur blessings and name them one by one..
What if to sey him dey inside the car wen the tank collapsed and died? No be who dey alive dey get motor?

yemre:
Of course, life happens, we all know that. But no one prays for such bad things.

IamAtAnger:
No one ever prays for any bad thing that might have to them before... so that's why sometimes u count ur blessings and name them one by one..
What if to sey him dey inside the car wen the tank collapsed and died? No be who dey alive dey get motor?

Still doesn't take away his right to sure his landlord for the loss. Imagine if it was the tenant who brought in an engineering equipment that fell and flattens the landlord vehicle like that, would the landlord take it ready with him?

Pls leave preaching, allow the tenant exercise his right under the law. The landlord needs to pay.

The only way he could be exonerated here is if the tenant has been informed to not park there. If there's was nothing like that, the landlord is liable because he's fully responsible for whatever happens within his compound.

I hope the car has comprehensive insurance? Insurance cover will give him peace while he has the right to sue the landlord but legal processes do take time. Landlord may choose to settle out of court by absorbing a fraction of the tenants loss.

do4luv14:
Buh these I. Greediness at its highest

Multiple tanks in one scaffold, who does that, and who allows that

It's not about the quantity my brother, it's about the capacity of the stanchions, brazings and foundational requirements if there properly calculated against the weight, seismic and wind loads they'll face.

This is why we say engage professionals to avoid this kinds of things. When you pay premium you get premium. It's just unfortunate.

If there were signs of hazard within that premises and the tenant still went ahead to park without making awareness to the landlord, that's also negligence on his part. If dem wan drag am go court the matter go long...

yemre:
Still doesn't take away his right to sure his landlord for the loss. Imagine if it was the tenant who brought in an engineering equipment that fell and flattens the landlord vehicle like that, would the landlord take it ready with him?

Pls leave preaching, allow the tenant exercise his right under the law. The landlord needs to pay.

The only way he could be exonerated here is if the tenant has been informed to not park there. If there's was nothing like that, the landlord is liable because he's fully responsible for whatever happens within his compound.

timidapsin:
A Lagos Tenant left in shock after finding his car crushed when a metal scaffolding carrying multiple water tanks collapsed in his compound
The impact completely damaged his car, with shattered glass and water flooding the area.

He shared a short video showing the aftermath and asked if he has the right to take legal action against his landlord.

VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcEVUKLKmcc

I can feel their agony! This is a huge tragedy. May God Almighty take control. Amen.

ClassicEvilSpir:
Insurance will deny him. They'll say he saw the risks/danger yet still parked there

You are wrong!
It is expected that the Water Tank Stand is properly done and will not collapse.
There is No Way he could have known that it willcollapse.
The Landlord did not issue a caveat (l assume), that Car parked there are 'Parked at Owner's Risk' and that the Tank Stand may collapse at anytime.

Insurance are to mitigate Risk and this is one of them. I hope his Insurance is 'Comprehensive' and not 3rd Party.
The Insurance Company will pay him and then take the House owner to Court, if he fails to mitigate their Loss.

If clearly investigated, the root course of the incident is gross safety negligence on the part of the landlord.

Another point is, the incident occured independently, not under any hostile weather conditions, which means the scaffold structure lacks the bearing capacity for the load and consequently failed. Apparently, The situation doesn't fully satisfy force majeure consideration.

The landlord may be asked to pay some damages for the loss.

timidapsin:
A Lagos Tenant left in shock after finding his car crushed when a metal scaffolding carrying multiple water tanks collapsed in his compound
The impact completely damaged his car, with shattered glass and water flooding the area.

He shared a short video showing the aftermath and asked if he has the right to take legal action against his landlord.

VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcEVUKLKmcc

He's fortunate those water tanks didn't land on his bungalow roof killing the occupants right in their bedrooms.

A 2000 litres water tank (that's 2 tons) falling on a Lexus Rx jeep is very deadly.

AuthegaPRIMUS:
This is the same thing you will say if it were human life on the line.
Even your signature has vindicated me. I win. You loss. son.

You these children.... You think the law care about your emotions?
The law doesn't care if an only child died.
This is an accident and it will be treated as such even if there is loss of human life...

Most Nigerians actually lack knowledge of the basic laws of the country that's why you all go about saying thrash.

AuthegaPRIMUS:
Don't make me laugh. You mean all other structures are failing like that one. Poor structure that led to damage of property na Im you dey call accident .. Painting a horse with white paint doesn't make it a zebra son.

Young man go and get yourself a lawyer when such happens except the lawyer just wants to waste your time and take your money.
The lawyer will tell you it's an accident.....

Now if you want to bring this your talk, you will be told that you saw a collapsing structure and you still parked your car under it, that's the same thing your insurance will tell you.

If that statement is made in your case with your landlord the insurance company will sit on that statement and one naira you won't get from landlord and insurance.....

You children think the law respects your emotions.

SamuelLoch:
If he had comprehensive insurance, it would have been easier on him, but for him to ask about suing his landlord, he probably does not.

Sadly, a huge loss and stress to his pockets!

Not realy.things like this are termed act of God in the insurance world.same as a tree falling in your car.

amaridigital:
Headless mob will still blame Tinubu for this for sure

Sense is hundreds of kilometers away from you, wetin consign Tinubu for the matter now? .. ;

Car that is very expensive to buy in this tinubueconomy

Since he's a paying tenant, he has the right to sue...and will win because he didn't hit the scaffold, and would have been sued by the landlord to replace the tank scaffold and other associated damages IF HE HAD BEEN THE ONE WHO HIT IT!!.

Babangidapikin:
It is a Force Majeure situation , but I leave learned colleague to look at the scenarios and advice you appropriately ...but on the other hand what if the Car was destined to crash but not with you inside ... Cos the tank could have fallen while you are inside, so you're saved from that, we thank God for your life.

It's actually a case of negligence. A force majeure situation often involves rare natural events such as earthquakes and hurricanes.

I'm paranoid about things like this.

timidapsin:
A Lagos Tenant left in shock after finding his car crushed when a metal scaffolding carrying multiple water tanks collapsed in his compound
The impact completely damaged his car, with shattered glass and water flooding the area.

He shared a short video showing the aftermath and asked if he has the right to take legal action against his landlord.

VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcEVUKLKmcc

Love800:
Lol. You are funny.

Have you not seen 4 tanks sitting in one stand and has not collapse!

3 and it was not that high and well Mount

IamAtAnger:
If there were signs of hazard within that premises and the tenant still went ahead to park without making awareness to the landlord, that's also negligence on his part. If dem wan drag am go court the matter go long...

Truly the matter go long but the tenant has an edge here. You don't bring people into an unsafe place just because of the money you want to collect in the name of rent. You owe everyone you bring to your space that duty of care. In fact, forget this matter, it is a law that applies to everyone. If you invite someone to your house and anything happens to him (whether you're around or not), you will be liable. Whether it's morally right or wrong, the law is the law.

In as much as we pray that nothing bad happens to us, the law still exists.

Wotowotoman:
Ogbeni, please who beg you do do this AI copy and paste? Wetin be this nitori olorun

grow up,it is meant for the people ones seeking wisdom.

The intelligent ones appreciate good things when they see one,stop bickering like a baby that lost her mom

Bukola94:
someone said blocks stand is better

Thank God, I'll go with cement and gravels. We can't trust the quality of the current roads.

That's why we say buy insurance, because you fit sit down peril go come meet you

brain54:
Oh my gosh...


Person go sit down him own jeje... trouble go still stroll come!

Landlords are to maintain public building insurance but them no go hear

waice6571:
If clearly investigated, the root course of the incident is gross safety negligence on the part of the landlord.

Another point is, the incident occured independently, not under any hostile weather conditions, which means the scaffold structure lacks the bearing capacity for the load and consequently failed. Apparently, The situation doesn't fully satisfy force majeure consideration.

The landlord may be asked to pay some damages for the loss.

Dem dey tell u fact you still dey prove flimsy point... na why u nor fit still construct simple sentence. Just read wetin u write now. Ai nor be for people like u e go make u dull more n more

Mamaafrik1:
grow up,it is meant for the people ones seeking wisdom.

The intelligent ones appreciate good things when they see one,stop bickering like a baby that lost her mom