Every area of the country has laws and housing codes to protect tenant’s rights, and ensure that landlords keep their buildings habitable. However, these laws can vary dramatically from state to state, or even from city to city. In order to stand up for your rights as a Washington DC tenant, you’ll first need to understand what they are.
At Simeone & Miller, LLP, our premises liability attorneys have decades of experience holding negligent landlords accountable for their actions. With precision and skill, our legal team can help you identify when your landlord has been negligent with their property – and seek compensation after you’ve been seriously injured.
Your Landlord’s Responsibility in Washington DC
Property owners can’t prevent every accident that happens on their property. Under the law, however, they do have a “duty of care” to make their premises reasonably safe and secure, for tenants, guests and visitors. That means maintaining common areas and making sure that your unit is habitable and in safe habitable condition.
When it comes to maintaining the premises, here are some of your landlord’s core responsibilities:
- Provide appropriate locks and building security
- Install working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
- Prevent dangerous rodents, insects, and pests from entering the building
- Repair any hazards on the premises as soon as reasonably possible
- Maintain staircases, lobbies, patios, doors, walk-ups, and other common areas
- Remove trash and outdoor hazards on a regular basis
- Install and maintain adequate lighting and electrical systems – both interior and exterior
- Install and maintain a proper plumbing system and promptly repair leaks
From falling on a broken stair to suffering dangerous black widow spider bites, you shouldn’t have to worry about serious injury hazards in your own apartment building. Although landlords do have a duty of care towards you under the law, many choose to ignore their responsibilities, leading to devastating consequences for tenants.
Seek the Counsel of a Professional Attorney
Premises liability cases can be complicated, because many property owners will try to claim that the accident was unavoidable or possibly your fault as a resident. While tenants do have certain obligations of their own, the legal burden for many injuries falls on the property owner – and you have the right to damages if the property owner fails to meet its burden.
Since 2002, we’ve been building a family of satisfied clients who needed our help during difficult times. We’re not just attorneys here at Simeone & Miller, LLP; we’re dedicated advocates for you. Paying for medical bills and other costs can be expensive, and you deserve fair compensation for any injuries incurred as a tenant because of your landlord’s negligence.
To discuss your case with our qualified lawyers, contact us today.
