Title: Tenant Safety and Landlord Liability | Justia
Headings: Landlord's Liability for Tenant Safety
Landlord's Liability for Tenant Safety
Duty to Repair and Maintain
Landlord Liability for Crime
Duty to Accommodate Disabled Tenants
Methods of Limiting Landlord Liability
Insurance

Content: Landlords have a duty to repair and maintain the property, including fixing problems that are reported by tenants. Any hazards that cannot be addressed immediately should be noted by the landlord, and tenants should be made aware of their presence through a written notification or posted signage. Landlord Liability for Crime
Landlords may be held responsible for criminal conduct on their property, especially if they did not provide adequate security. State and local laws may set forth specific security measures for rental properties. It is important to provide reasonable protection for tenants, including designing a security system, if necessary. Costly measures such as these can be much smaller than the costs resulting from crimes on the rental premises. Individuals injured or affected by a crime, such as the operations of drug dealers, may sue the landlord under the theory that the rental property is a public nuisance. This legal doctrine involves a threat to public safety or morals, which poses an inconvenience to the rights of the community. If the landlord allows illegal activity to continue, police or federal authorities may assess fines. Duty to Accommodate Disabled Tenants
Landlords must allow disabled tenants to make changes necessary to their full enjoyment of the premises.