Tag: Premises

Landlord Responsibility for Preventing Crime on Their Premises

 

Amy Goldenberg Closter NJ
Amy Goldenberg

As a student at Touro Law School in Central Islip, NJ, Amy Goldenberg earned accolades in judicial writing and oral advocacy. Now residing in Closter, NJ, Amy Goldenberg focuses on premises liability cases as an attorney with Malapero, Prisco & Klauber.

Under premises liability laws, landlords have the obligation to protect their tenants from foreseeable criminal acts. In addition to installing basic protections against break-ins and trespassers such as deadbolt locks, properly functioning windows, and an intercom system, landlords should implement preventive measures for crimes that have been known to occur in the vicinity.

For example, if robberies are common in the neighborhood, landlords should install measures that would deter perpetrators such as bright exterior lighting or security cameras. If a crime is perpetrated in the building by one of its tenants, landlords must take action by informing law enforcement and starting eviction proceedings if necessary.

To prevent the likelihood of on-site criminal conduct, landlords should carry out thorough background checks on all potential tenants and insert clauses that prohibit illegal activities on the premises into every lease agreement.

Property Owner Duties Under New York Premises Liability Laws

Amy Goldenberg

Closter, New Jersey lawyer Amy Goldenberg has worked with several notable legal firms, including Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. and Winget, Spadafora & Schwartzberg, LLP. Since April 2019, attorney Amy Goldenberg has represented clients on behalf of Malapero, Prisco &Klauber, a firm with offices in NewYork and New Jersey. She focuses on defending property owners who are being prosecuted based on premises liability laws.

Property owners that do not keep their buildings in safe condition can be found liable for any personal harm that occurs on their premises. Landlords, property owners, and other responsible parties must perform the following duties to minimize their exposure to premise liabilities:

1. Inclement Weather – When the conditions outside the building become dangerous due to ice or snow, property managers must take steps to make the area accessible by removing the snow promptly. However, there is no obligation to remove the snow as it accumulates, so owners may not be found liable for pedestrians who injure themselves amid a heavy storm.

2. Hazard Warnings – Property owners must report any significant hazards that visitors may encounter on their premises. This can include alerting visitors about ongoing repair work, faulty stairs, or slippery surfaces using clear signage.

3. Building Maintenance – New York law holds property owners liable for injuries caused by damages they may not have known about but would have been discovered through reasonable upkeep. For this reason, property owners should conduct routine site inspections, even if they are not required by law.