I have been renting to three tenants since December 2023. They went on an extended vacation on November 8th, 2025, and a fire broke out in the air conditioner on the 12th.
I believe they forgot to turn off the air conditioner timer while on vacation, which caused the fire.
(Upon returning from vacation, the tenant told the management office, "I think the air conditioner timer was probably working.")
However, their company refused to compensate them, claiming, "There is no evidence that the air conditioner timer was on or that the air conditioner was on at the time of the fire."
(The contractor is an executive of their company, and the tenants are employees of that company.)
They also claim, "Even when the air conditioner is off, a small amount of current flows through it, causing resistance to heat up, which can cause a fire." They say they can't compensate the tenant because they're not at fault, and that I should take legal action if I want.
Respostas de Advogados
Ascendance International Consulting (A-I-C)
Thank you for outlining the circumstances surrounding the fire at your unit. In situations like this, liability typically turns on the cause of the fire and whether it resulted from tenant negligence, defective equipment, or normal electrical risk. Relevant evidence may include the fire investigation or incident report, maintenance and service records for the air conditioner, statements made by the tenants or management at the time of the incident, and any expert assessment regarding whether the fire could occur while the unit was fully switched off. The tenant’s statement to management about the air-conditioner timer may be relevant, but on its own may not be sufficient without technical or documentary support.
In Malaysia, claims for compensation are usually pursued through civil proceedings based on negligence or breach of tenancy obligations, and the burden of proof rests with the party claiming damages. The process generally involves appointing an independent expert to determine the cause of the fire, followed by a formal demand and, if necessary, court action against the responsible party. Timelines vary, but an initial assessment and evidence gathering can often be completed within a few months, while litigation may take significantly longer. If you wish, we can review the available documentation and advise on the strength of a claim, possible defendants, and whether pursuing recovery is commercially worthwhile in your case.
Sincerely,
Ascendance International Consulting
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