Landlord Liability Claims Lawyer
When a landlord and tenant agree on terms for leasing an apartment or space, both take on certain responsibilities. Tenants agree to pay for the privilege of using the leased space and other stipulations in their lease. Regardless of the contents of the lease, landlords are legally responsible to provide certain provisions under premises liability laws. This includes maintaining a safe property for their tenants, which can make them liable for certain injuries and damages if not achieved.
Landlord Safety Responsibilities
Landlord liability laws regarding injuries and safety can be complicated. They differ from business and home premises liability laws as the tenants also have a responsibility to maintain safety. For example, if a guest in an apartment falls due to a broken stair and is injured, both the landlord and the tenant may be liable. It depends on whether the landlord knew the stair was broken. If the stair was broken by the tenant and not reported to the landlord, they may be liable for their guest’s injury, not the landlord.
Landlords have a responsibility to maintain a reasonably safe property to prevent injuries and protect their tenants. This encompasses many different aspects, including:
- Repairing and maintaining the building
- Fire prevention measures
- Screening tenants
- Maintaining adequate security
- Providing outdoor and indoor lighting for safety
- Fixing broken components quickly to prevent injuries
When a fire starts in the laundry room of an apartment building because of poorly maintained appliances or a reported broken stair causes a fall injury, the landlord may be liable. If criminal activity on the property causes harm due to lack of security, it is possible the landlord may be required to pay compensation for injuries. These cases can be complex, which is why you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side.
If you have been injured or had extensive property damage caused by negligent or unsafe conditions at your rental property, contact our team at Ligori & Sanders Attorneys at Law. We can explore your legal options, including filing a landlord liability claim.