Injured in your rental home? Is your landlord liable?

Renting a house or apartment is expensive, but it also offers several benefits over buying a home. For example, if the air conditioning unit breaks, your landlord must pay for repairs in most situations. In another example, if a water line ruptures and causes flood damage, your landlord’s insurance may help you replace your damaged property.

Another benefit of renting a home is that your landlord is responsible for its maintenance and upkeep. When landlords do their jobs properly, tenants appreciate having a safe and well-maintained residence. However, if they fail to maintain the property, you might suffer an injury on the premise.

How can rental home injuries happen?

The leading cause of rental home injuries is the lack of maintenance and repair. When something breaks or stops functioning as intended, it puts the building occupants at risk of harm. Rental property hazards that can lead to injury include the following.

• Defective flooring (loose tiles, frayed carpet, etc.)
• Unsafe stairways (missing steps, broken railings, etc.)
• Outdoor hazards (damaged or broken steps or walkways, etc.)
• Bites from vermin infestation (rats, bugs, etc.)
• Standing water (water pipe leaks, etc.)

You can also suffer home invasion injuries on poorly maintained rental property. For example, if your landlord will not repair broken or missing locks on windows and doors, someone could enter your home and harm you. In another example, you could suffer an assault in poorly lit outdoor areas and parking lots.

A successful premises liability claim provides financial restitution if your landlord was negligent in their duty to provide a safe residence. Learning more about personal injury and premises liability law in California can help you determine if you have grounds for a claim.