Can a Property Owner Be Liable for Negligent Security?
As a renter, you have the right to a reasonable amount of security on the property you have rented. You should also expect to be safe on the property of a business you are frequenting. If there was a criminal act on a business property or within or on a property you have been renting, the owner may be liable.
A legal doctrine of Maryland personal injury law, negligent security means a property owner should deal with the risks that might lead to criminal conduct on their property. An attorney can explain the law and inform you of your rights.
With a personal injury lawyer by your side, you may be able to prove your landlord or a business property owner failed to provide reasonable security. From there, it is possible that there is a path to compensation. If you were the victim of a crime, contact a Baltimore personal injury lawyer to learn what options are available for you.
Rental Property Security Measures
Often, within a lease, there are security measures listed. Everything agreed to within a rental property agreement should be adhered to while the lease is active. The lease is a legal agreement between the property owner and the tenant.
Some items that may be included in a rental agreement:
- Proper lighting supplied in common areas, such as parking lots and foyers.
- Locks that function on windows and doors within a rental unit and in common areas.
- Security guard staff for parking lots or business buildings.
- Security cameras monitoring common areas.
Any of these items within a lease contract must be followed through, a landlord cannot simply ignore a broken light that illuminates a parking area if it was agreed within the lease that proper lighting would be maintained. These items are not required by law, but if they are stated in a lease they are required.
Knowledge of Potential Risks
There are also situations where there are security threats a property owner is aware of but he or she fails to remedy the problem. So, for example, if there are broken locks and robberies that have taken place, tenants need to know about the situation and what remedies are being put into place to avoid further crime. Ignoring potential risks could prove the negligence of a property owner.
It is important you discuss your situation with a Baltimore personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Sometimes, landlords will try to hide the evidence if they suspect their negligence has been identified as part of crime. They may attempt to fix locks or lights that were broken and then claim the security threat was not there at the time of the crime.
If you were injured on another person’s property or were the victim of a crime in the building in which you were a tenant, contact an experienced lawyer to secure the compensation you deserve. The Baltimore personal injury lawyeys at Iamele & Iamele, LLP have the knowledge and skills you need to file your claim. If you need legal help, contact us today for a free initial consultation.
