Your home is supposed to be the only place you feel safe. But, when there is violence in your apartment complex or your rental house, your home turns from a haven to a place of stress and fear. Violence in apartment complexes is not uncommon and becomes more likely when the landlord fails to take proper security measures to keep the premises safe and protected against non-residents seeking to do others harm. If you have been a victim of violence in your apartment complex, talk to a DeKalb County, GA, rental property crime victim lawyer.
When tenants suffer violence in their apartment, they often aren’t sure what their legal options are or if they have any rights. A negligent landlord will often deny responsibility for the harm they suffered, leaving their tenant to face the consequences of rental property violence alone. This is where the advice and support of experienced rental property crime victim attorneys can benefit you. At Deitch + Rogers, our lawyers are well-versed in Georgia injury laws and are ready to help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Does A DeKalb County Rental Property Crime Victim Lawyer Do?
Landlords, residential rental property owners, and rental property managers have a responsibility for maintaining the premises in a habitable condition. They must also keep the building safe for the people living inside. Broken windows or malfunctioning locks on the doors could create conditions where violence could occur. If a landlord fails to provide adequate security for privacy and to prevent trespass, then the landlord could be held legally liable for harm that befalls their tenants.
Rental property crime victim attorneys help tenants who were victims of violence because their landlords failed to ensure adequate security. You may be owed monetary damages for loss of property and, if you were injured, your medical care, as well. You also deserve compensation for the emotional trauma of the violent act or home invasion, referred to as non-economic damages. Our goal is to hold negligent property owners accountable for their lack of concern for your safety and ensure that you receive a fair sum to help you rebuild your life, move somewhere safer, and replace your material losses.
Factors That Contribute To Violence In Rental Complexes
Violence in an apartment complex can take many forms. Often, it involves someone gaining access who should not be there. Robbery, home invasions, sexual assault, or stalking are all more likely when a rental property lacks proper security. Here are some of the most common ways that landlords fail to provide adequate security:
- Lack of Security: Some leasing agents promise certain security measures, like coded exterior access, a doorman, or gates. However, if these turn out to be just a marketing gimmick or aren’t correctly maintained, then the landlord may be considered negligent.
- Failure to Perform Background Checks: Many habitual criminals he a string of arrests or convictions for property crimes, including robbery or personal violence. Suppose a landlord fails to do due diligence in checking potential tenants for a history of assaults, robberies, or the like. In that case, they can be held accountable for permitting violent criminals to live next to law-abiding citizens.
- Unsecured Units: Some rental units may be unoccupied for a long period of time, inviting squatters or those seeking somewhere to hole up. If a landlord fails to secure unoccupied units, they could be an invitation to dangerous elements.
These are just a few of the types of cases the attorneys at Deitch + Rogers handle. If you have been a victim of a crime, please call our firm for a free case review with a DeKalb County rental property crime victim lawyer.
As tenants, we deserve a safe and secure place to call home. When landlords fail to uphold their responsibilities, it’s important to take steps to protect our rights. If you or someone you know has experienced a crime due to a landlord’s negligence, consider speaking with our DeKalb County, GA rental property crime victim lawyer at Deitch + Rogers, who can help guide you through the process of holding the responsible parties accountable. With over thirty years of legal success, we can work toward creating safer living environments for everyone. The following explores how landlords can be held accountable when crimes occur on their properties.
Landlord Responsibilities For Safety
Landlords must maintain their properties in a way that promotes tenant safety. This includes ensuring that common areas are well-lit, maintaining functional locks on doors and windows, and addressing any known security vulnerabilities. If a landlord neglects these responsibilities, they may be held liable if their failure contributes to a crime on the property.
For example, a broken security gate that goes unfixed for an extended period could be seen as negligence, especially if the landlord was aware of the issue. When landlords ignore these types of maintenance problems, they potentially expose their tenants to unnecessary risks.
The Importance Of Adequate Security Measures
Security measures, such as proper lighting, secure entryways, and functional surveillance cameras, play a crucial role in deterring criminal activity. Landlords who fail to implement basic security features may be viewed as neglecting their duties. It’s not uncommon for tenants to experience break-ins or assaults when these essential safety features are missing or inadequately maintained.
If a tenant reports a security concern, landlords are expected to address it promptly. The failure to act on reported issues can further increase their liability. This is particularly true if the reported concern later results in a criminal incident that could have been prevented.
Legal Grounds For Holding Landlords Accountable
To hold a landlord accountable, it must be shown that their actions or inactions directly contributed to the crime. This often involves proving that the landlord knew about the security issues and failed to act. In legal terms, this is referred to as negligence. Our DeKalb County, GA rental property crime victim lawyers understand that evidence such as maintenance requests, communication records with the landlord, and any prior incidents can help build a strong case.
Landlords are not automatically liable for every crime that occurs on their property. The key factor is whether they took reasonable steps to address known safety concerns. A landlord who consistently ignores security issues or fails to invest in basic safety measures may be found negligent, making them responsible for any resulting harm to their tenants.
Taking Action For A Safer Living Environment
When renting a property, tenants expect a reasonable level of safety. Unfortunately, when a crime occurs on a rental property, it can raise serious questions about the landlord’s responsibility. As landlords provide and maintain living spaces, they are often expected to take basic steps to keep the property secure. However, when they fail to do so, tenants may find themselves facing preventable dangers. Our skilled DeKalb County, GA rental property crime victim lawyers are here to help! Contact our team at Deitch + Rogers today to schedule your risk-free consultation!