Renter faces $120K lawsuit for cold home, frozen pipes

BEND, Ore. – A man who rented a town home in Bend is facing a $120,000 lawsuit that accuses him of letting the temperature inside drop too low and thus allowing the pipes to freeze.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported the suit said renter Benjamin Scicluna signed a lease for the property agreeing he wouldn’t let the temperature inside dip below 60 degrees, he would leave cabinets open so air could circulate around pipes and he would notify the rental company if he left for more than seven days.

The suit claims Scicluna violated all these terms when he rented the property last winter.

Scicluna’s friend, Jim Lauderdale, also is listed as a defendant. Lauderdale saidhe didn’t live in the home with Scicluna, but he co-signed the lease.

Scicluna couldn’t be reached for comment.