When renting an apartment or home tenants expect to have a safe and habitable living space. Building codes play an important role in ensuring landlords comply with requirements for safety, structural integrity, and more. As a property owner landlords have a legal responsibility to abide by these codes. Violating a building code can have an impact on landlord liability in a legal matter. Speak to a Rockland County apartment accident lawyer to discuss your situation and learn more about your legal options regarding injuries or damages from building code violations.
What is a Building Code?
Building codes are laws that specify the standards that buildings must meet to be deemed livable and safe. These laws set requirements for electrical systems, plumbing, fire safety, structural integrity, heating, ventilation, and more. The rules are designed to protect the people who live or work there and ensure that the building is safe and functional.
What’s a Code Violation?
A building code violation occurs when any of the regulatory requirements are breached. If the property does not meet the mandated standards then it may not be safe for people to inhabit the building. Examples of common code violations include the following.
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Lack of smoke detectors
- Lack of fire escapes
- Improper ventilation
- Missing handrails
- Accessibility issues
The above examples and more can pose a danger to tenants and occupants of an apartment or home. Injuries or damages that occur due to these situations can result in the landlord being held liable.
How Can Building Code Violations Impact Landlord Liability?
When a landlord fails to adhere to building codes or address violations they can be deemed liable for any harm or injuries that occur as a result. A landlord can face liability in a few ways.
- Tenant injuries: If an unchecked building code violation directly causes or contributes to a tenant suffering an accident or injury the landlord may be held responsible. For example, consider if there was a broken or defective staircase that the landlord had prior knowledge of. If they fail to rectify the issue and a tenant injures themselves on the stairs the tenant could pursue legal action against the landlord for negligence.
- Property damage: Financial liability can arise when property damage occurs as a result of a code violation. For instance, if faulty wiring caused a fire in an apartment that damaged the walls and floor, the landlord will be responsible for the costs of repairing the damaged areas.
- Legal penalties: Landlords can also face fines and legal penalties for failing to comply with building regulations. Fines can be substantial and will increase each day that the violation is not addressed.
When a building code is violated the property owner or landlord has a legal obligation to rectify the issue to ensure the safety of tenants and visitors. If you sustained injuries or other damages as a result of a code violation reach out to a skilled attorney to discuss your legal options.
