Landlord Liability in Georgia: What You Need to Know

Landlord liability in Georgia is governed by state laws and regulations that outline the responsibilities of property owners in maintaining safe living conditions for tenants and visitors. Understanding landlord liability is essential for both landlords and tenants to ensure proper adherence to legal obligations and protect against potential injuries on rental properties. Here is what you need to know about landlord liability in Georgia and when landlords may be held accountable with a premises liability lawsuit.

Duty of Care for Landlords

Landlords in Georgia have a legal duty to maintain their rental properties in a reasonably safe condition to prevent harm to tenants and visitors. This duty of care includes:

• Ensuring Habitability: Landlords are required to provide rental properties that meet basic standards of habitability, including functioning heating and plumbing systems, structural integrity and protection from environmental hazards.
• Making Repairs: Landlords must promptly address any known hazards or defects on the property that could pose a risk of injury to tenants or visitors. This includes repairing broken staircases, faulty electrical wiring, leaky roofs and other dangerous conditions.
• Regular Inspections: Landlords should conduct regular inspections of their rental properties to identify and address potential hazards before they escalate into safety concerns. Inspections may include checking for mold growth, pest infestations, and other maintenance issues.

Liability for Tenant Injuries

Landlords may be held liable for injuries suffered by tenants or visitors on their property if the injury was caused by the landlord’s negligence or failure to maintain safe conditions. Common scenarios in which landlords may be held liable include:

• Failure to Repair: If a landlord fails to address known hazards or repair defects on the property in a timely manner, and a tenant or visitor is injured as a result, the landlord may be held liable for negligence.
• Inadequate Security: Landlords may be liable for injuries resulting from criminal acts, such as assaults or robberies, if they fail to provide adequate security measures, such as proper lighting, functioning locks or security cameras.
• Unsafe Conditions: Landlords may be held liable for injuries caused by unsafe conditions on the property, such as slippery floors, uneven walkways or poorly maintained common areas.

Premises Liability Lawsuits

If a tenant or visitor is injured on a rental property due to the landlord’s negligence, they may file a premises liability lawsuit against the landlord to seek compensation for their injuries and damages. In Georgia, premises liability claims typically require the injured party to prove the following elements:

• Duty of Care: The landlord owed a duty of care to maintain safe conditions on the property.
• Breach of Duty: The landlord breached this duty by failing to address known hazards or maintain safe conditions.
• Causation: The landlord’s breach of duty directly caused the injury suffered by the tenant or visitor.
• Damages: The injured party suffered actual damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or property damage.

Premises Liability Personal Injury Lawyer in Atlanta, GA

Understanding landlord liability in Georgia is crucial for both landlords and tenants to ensure safe living conditions and protect against potential injuries. Landlords have a legal duty to maintain their rental properties in a reasonably safe condition and may be held liable for injuries resulting from their negligence. Tenants who are injured on rental properties due to the landlord’s failure to maintain safe conditions may have grounds to file premises liability lawsuits seeking compensation for their injuries and damages. It is vital to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side to prove your claim in a landlord liability case. If you believe you have been injured due to the negligence of your landlord, contact our team at Race Law Firm. Call our office in Atlanta, GA, for a free legal consultation to discuss your premises liability claim.