Accidents often occur at home, and they can be caused by a wide range of conditions. If you rent, and you’re injured by a defective or dangerous condition on your rental property, it’s important to understand which conditions are your responsibility and which are the responsibility of your landlord.
Because every state treats landlord liability a bit differently, it’s important to talk to a local lawyer if you’ve been injured. Often, landlords are liable for accidents and injuries when:
- The accident happened because the landlord failed to inspect the unit before you moved in to make sure it was reasonably safe from hazardous conditions.
- The landlord had an inspection done, and the inspection revealed a dangerous condition, but the landlord did not inspect or address the condition or warn the tenant.
- The tenant reported a dangerous condition, but the landlord did not repair it (or hire someone to repair it) in a timely manner.
- The landlord failed to maintain common areas of the property (like stairs, hallways, elevators, landscaping, and parking lots) in a reasonably safe condition.
- The landlord failed to meet building code requirements for safety and an injury resulted.
Typically, landlords are not responsible for dangerous conditions that develop inside a unit after the tenant takes possession. Landlords are also not responsible for addressing conditions that tenants don’t report to the landlord.
Likewise, landlords are responsible only for taking “reasonable measures” to address a dangerous condition; they are not required to take every conceivable precaution, particularly when doing so would cost an extraordinary amount of time or money.
At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C., our experienced attorneys offer full-service legal representation in suburban Philadelphia and throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. For the experience, reputation, and results that you can trust, call us today at 215-822-7575.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
