Landlord Liability for Tenant Injury | PersonalInjuryLawyer.com

The landlord of a tenant renting an apartment or house has a legal duty to keep the premise safe and habitable. Under the Ohio Landlord Tenant Act, landlords have some basic obligations.

The landlord must:

Comply with the requirements of all applicable building, housing, health, and safety codes that materially affect health and safety;
Make all repairs and do whatever is reasonably necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition;
Keep all common areas of the premises in a safe and sanitary condition;
Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning fixtures and appliances, and elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by him;
Supply running water, reasonable amounts of hot water and reasonable heat at all times, except where the building that includes the dwelling unit is not required by law to be equipped for that purpose, or the dwelling unit is so constructed that heat or hot water is generated by an installation within the exclusive control of the tenant and supplied by a direct public utility connection;
Except in the case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, give the tenant reasonable notice (24 hour) of his intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times.

Not all landlords maintain their property to the standards required of them. It is not uncommon for tenants to be injured due to rotting staircases or falling ceilings. If you notice something dangerous, contact your landlord immediately. Call the landlord and also send the notice through certified mail so you have proof that you put the landlord on notice.

To protect your interests in the event you are injured, you should take photographs of the dangerous condition(s) and communications with your landlord. These photos/documents may be used in court in the event of a trial.

From the author: Cincinnati Personal Injury Attorneys

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