One of the biggest perks of renting a home or an apartment instead of buying one is that you don’t have any major maintenance responsibilities. Your landlord is the one who has to replace the pipes if they start leaking or repair the roof when the existing one fails.
Unfortunately, maintenance, upgrades and repairs cut into the profit margin a landlord makes and may require that they invest in the property instead of making money from it. Some landlords defer necessary repairs and maintenance for personal financial comfort with little regard to their obligations to their tenants.
These landlords could find themselves facing massive premises liability claims if a tenant or one of their occupants gets hurt because of maintenance or repair issues. What are common issues that lead to premises liability claims against the landlords?
Unsafe stairwells
Many apartment buildings have two or more floors and multiple units. Having multiple tenants in one building is cost-effective and efficient, but these stairs are a big safety issue.
Loose handrails, old flooring and bad lighting are all examples of maintenance and repair issues that could directly contribute to someone taking a tumble down the stairs. If those people can show that the landlord failed to maintain the facilities appropriately, they may have grounds for an insurance claim or a lawsuit.
Leaky roofs
Sometimes, the reason someone slips and falls is because of fluid accumulation. A poorly maintained, older roof can lead to water incursion and puddling on the floor. Landlords who don’t replace the roof when necessary or who don’t have staff on hand to address leaks as they occur may ultimately be liable if someone gets hurt at their property.
Cluttered spaces
Debris on the ground, uncovered electrical supply cords and many other items found in rental buildings can put visitors and tenants alike at risk of slipping, tripping and falling. Keeping floors clear and addressing known tripping hazards are both important steps for those who regularly have other people at a property they own.
When landlords cut corners on property maintenance, tenants and their tenants’ visitors may be the ones to pay the price. Holding landlords accountable for preventable slip-and-falls that take place on their property can prompt them to engage in better management practices in the future and defray the expenses you incur.