Renters hope to find properties where they are living in good condition, but this isn’t always the case. There are times when hazardous conditions are present that can cause a slip and fall. Knowing what your rights are in a landlord/renter situation is important. After suffering an injury due to neglect of a rented property in Florida, an accident injury lawyer can help explain your rights and how you can receive compensation in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale.
Negligence Defined
As in other types of negligence, a negligent landlord must uphold a standard of property care to ensure safety. Not doing so can cause a tenant to be injured. By showing that the landlord breached that standard, which resulted in an injury, the landlord would be said to be negligent. A Florida statute sets out what is required of a landlord with regard to rental properties.
Landlord Obligations
A landlord has the obligation to maintain buildings within health and housing codes for tenants and can also be liable to third parties if an injury occurs due to lack of maintenance. A landlord has the responsibility to maintain roofs, doors, windows, floors, porches, steps, foundations, exterior walls, and plumbing and window screens. When a house or building has one of these items in poor repair, such as loose or rotted boards in steps or on porches, loose plaster, or poorly caulked window glass, this may lead to an accident with resulting injury that could lead to high medical bills and lost time from work. Loose or rotted boards may not be readily apparent to a renter, but the landlord should have a building checked for dangerous conditions before turning it over to whoever is leasing the property.
Tenant Rights
A tenant who is injured must show proof that the landlord failed to maintain the property correctly under Florida law. The tenant must show that the defect was a violation of the law, a defect in construction or something that was dangerous, such as loose handrailings on stairs. Even if the landlord attempts repairs, he or she may still be liable for third parties who are merely visiting. In addition, the landlord would be responsible for poor workmanship performed by someone he or she hired to repair the problem.
What If Someone Falls Outdoors?
Your landlord is responsible for defects outdoors too. If a known defect is not repaired and you are injured, the landlord is liable. Everything from cracks in the sidewalk, hanging dead tree limbs, to loose stairs leading from the house are all potential causes of an accident. The landlord is also responsible for hiring competent workmen to do the repairs.
Contact an Accident Injury Lawyer
A renter injured in a slip and fall that was due to the landlord’s negligence can experience medical bills and extensive time off work while recuperating. Contacting an accident injury lawyer is a good idea to understand what responsibilities a landlord has toward a tenant’s safety. The experienced attorneys at Kaiser Romanello can explain what your rights are, answer your questions and advise you on whether you have a case to recover your expenses from the injury. Call today for a free case evaluation and to protect your rights as a tenant.
