Liability of a housemate in case of theft | Legal aid

Questioner

Can I hold my roommate liable for theft from my student room because he left the front door open? Will his insurance pay for the damage or will he have to pay for it himself? The situation: - my room door was open - i was at home - I was in another student room, one floor up - the housemate in question has more or less admitted that he left the door open - it is about €2500 in value - there is no connection between me and the roommate, so I don't care whether he or his insurance pays for it

Lawyer

If you have made clear agreements regarding the absence of one or both of you and that in those cases the room door must be locked; in that case your roommate has made a mistake, for which he can be held liable. You must prove that the rule exists and that it was not you but your roommate who left the door open. Furthermore, you must provide proof that items were stolen during that period. Did you report it? It does not matter for the claim for damages whether there is an insurer yes/no.