Usually the glass company will be able to determine what happened.

You could notify the owner and the tenant that the glass company will advise and if it is found that it is the tenants responsibility then the tenant agrees to pay for the replacement or the excess for an insurance claim. Otherwise it is one of those things that can’t be explained and the owner can claim insurance, then claim the expense on tax.

glass can randomly shatter with no warning. I don’t know why, but it has happened in an office i was working in and to one of my tenants. i make the owner pay if this is the case.

If it is a large bill then it might be worthy of an insurance claim if the landlord’s excess is low.

My last glass replacement bill was nearly $1000 for a stone chip from the lawn mowing contractor we engaged to do the job!

Thanks all for feedback. 

If the tenant says it is no fault of their’s then have them sign a stat dec saying so and have the owner cover the cost of the replacement. Depending on cost then go through insurance.

Bryar, did the contractor not pay the bill in your case? My father had his own mowing business for a long time and his own insurance covered those accidents.

Agent went to Tribunal over a broken front door {fire door} – over $900 to replace.

Agent routine inspection was in May of that year.  Next inspection in  July agent noted the damage door.

Agent replaced door etc, tenants vacated we took to Tribunal – we lost.

Agent case:

Tenants did not report any break or enter.

Tenant did not advises agent of damage to door

Tenant has a responsibility under lease agreement to report all maintenance.

Entry report and entry photos show no damage.

Ruling: Can the agent prove the tenant broke or damaged the door?  Was the agent there to witness the event?  Don’t accuse, don’t suggest if you cannot prove.  I am sure the owner has insurance, that what it is there for!