Full question:
I had repeatedly warned my landlord that the cooking gas line pipes to our rented apartment need immediate attention. Last week, when my wife switched on the light in the kitchen, the whole kitchen was set ablaze because of leaked gas. We were able to put out the fire but all our kitchen equipment were charred beyond repair. How can I make my landlord liable for the loss?
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Subcategory: Residential Lease
- Date:
- State: National
Answer:
Landlords must maintain rental properties in a safe and good condition. If a landlord neglects repairs and puts tenants' health and safety at risk, they can be held liable for injuries, property loss, emotional distress, and relocation costs. To establish negligence, a tenant must prove two things:
- The landlord breached a duty owed to the tenant.
- The tenant suffered injury or loss due to that breach.
In your situation, since the landlord ignored your repeated requests to repair the gas pipes, which led to the fire damaging your property, you have grounds for a claim. You can file a personal injury lawsuit or claim against the landlord's insurance for the damage to your belongings.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.
