• tal@lemmy.today
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    9 months ago

    If the locks really are exploitable, and if the landlord is aware of the vulnerability – and my guess is that the landlord may have no idea whether or not the things are vulnerable or how much to trust the guy, dunno what the bar is – it sounds like they might have liability if someone commits a crime using the lock exploit.

    https://www.justia.com/real-estate/landlord-tenant/information-for-landlords/liability-for-criminal-activity/

    Landlord Liability for Criminal Activity in a Rental Property

    In addition to being responsible for injuries to your tenants that may be the result of dangerous structural conditions or environmental health hazards on your rental property, you can potentially be liable for injuries arising from the criminal activities of third parties. While this may not seem fair at first, this responsibility falls under your general duty to provide a safe and habitable living environment to your tenants, as well as local and a handful of state laws.

    Preventing Crime and Minimizing Liability

    Some of the most effective steps you can take toward keeping your tenants safe are also the most affordable, and they start with preventing crime from occurring. Maintaining good lighting on the exterior of the building, in parking areas, and in hallways, as well as sturdy and well-functioning locks on doors and windows are two of the most basic ways to stave off criminal activity. Many local housing and building codes may have rules regarding security measures such as locks, so be sure you are meeting or exceeding those requirements.

    Responding to Reports or Concerns of Criminal Activity

    In order to maintain the security of your rental property, and to minimize potential liability in the event that you are sued following a criminal incident, it is advisable to respond promptly to any tenant safety concerns or suggestions, and also to be forthcoming with your knowledge of any criminal activity in the area that may be relevant to your tenants. Further, if a tenant alerts you to a possible security compromise, such as a situation in which a tenant’s backpack containing their ID and keys has been stolen, it is worthwhile to pay the cost of quickly changing any necessary locks to prevent harm to your tenant as well as to lessen your legal liability should a subsequent break-in occur.

    Negligent Security Lawsuits

    A tenant may be able to sue their landlord for inadequate security if they can show that their landlord failed to exercise reasonable care or give adequate warnings, and a foreseeable injury resulted.

    That doesn’t give specific state laws, but it does sound like there’s at least potential liability issues.