Is the landlord liable for damages if an apartment gets robbed?
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Is the landlord liable for damages if an apartment gets robbed?
I recently moved into an apartment in a semi-safe neighborhood. I have been having issues with repairs that needed to be done and the landlord doing them, so one day I come home and the lock on my door looks like it has been tampered with. I informed the landlord that it needed to be fixed and he did nothing. The next day I came home and my apartment was robbed; I have only been here 2 months.
Asked on September 22, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
In all states in this country a landlord is required to provide safe and habitable housing for his or her tenant given the circumstances. In your situation you mention that your unit is in a semi-safe neighborhood.
You noticed that there seemed to have been some issues with the lock on your door to your landlord and the next day you were robbed. Did you ask the landlord to immediately come out and change your lock? Did you do anything to get a new lock that day?
From what you have written it does not seem as though your landlord unreasonably delayed fixing your lock to have a basis for a negligence claim as to him or her. I do not see any liability as to your landlord from what you have written.
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