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: First, all tenants should be screened carefully, and violent or dangerous individuals should be prevented from renting, to the extent allowed by anti-discrimination laws. Second, landlords should include a provision in the rental agreement prohibiting illegal activity. It is important to maintain an awareness of suspicious activity, including frequent traffic and unknown vehicles visiting the rental premises. Tenant and neighbor complaints should be heeded, and a landlord who suspects suspicious activity should alert the police. Landlords that employ a rental property management company, and particularly rental property managers, should conduct a background check. These managers may interact with the tenants, and they have master keys to the rental properties. If a manager hurts or steals from a tenant, the tenant may sue the property owner, in this case for not properly supervising the manager. Insurance
A critical component in protecting yourself from liability for injuries or property losses as a landlord is to carry adequate insurance. You will need a commercial general liability policy, as well as property insurance. Additionally, if your property manager or another employee uses their own car to run errands for the business, it is important to have non-owned auto insurance.