What duties do landlords have under Pennsylvania law?

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, landlords must maintain safe common areas, repair known dangers, ensure structural safety, meet housing code standards, and provide habitable living conditions.

What are common examples of landlord negligence in the Lehigh Valley?

Common examples include slip and fall hazards, broken stairs, faulty wiring, mold, asbestos, fire hazards, poor lighting, inadequate security, structural defects, and failing to remove ice or water hazards.

Can I sue my landlord if I was injured on rental property in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Tenants may file a premises liability claim if the landlord knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to fix it. Injured tenants may recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

What injuries commonly result from landlord negligence?

Injuries can include fractures, electrocution injuries, burns, respiratory illness from mold, head injuries, spinal damage, lacerations, or injuries from assaults caused by inadequate security.

What is the statute of limitations for landlord negligence claims in Pennsylvania?

Tenants have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim against a negligent landlord.

How do I prove landlord negligence in a personal injury claim?

You must show the landlord had a duty to maintain the property, failed to make needed repairs or provide safe conditions, and that this failure directly caused your injuries. Documentation, photos, and written repair requests can help prove your case.

Can landlords be liable for inadequate security in apartment complexes?

Yes. Landlords may be liable if they fail to provide proper locks, lighting, gates, or warnings about known criminal activity, and a tenant is harmed as a result.

What should I do if my landlord ignores repair requests or hazardous conditions?

Send a formal written notice documenting the issue and requesting repairs. If the landlord still fails to act, you can report them to the Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection or, if applicable, HUD. You may also pursue legal action.

Can children injured on rental property sue for landlord negligence?

Yes. Children injured due to unsafe property conditions or attractive nuisances (such as unprotected pools) may pursue injury claims through a parent or guardian.

Who is responsible if the city and the landlord both contributed to unsafe conditions?

Liability depends on the location and cause of the hazard. Landlords are responsible for private property conditions, while cities may be liable for unsafe sidewalks or municipal property. An attorney can determine which parties are responsible.

Why should I hire a landlord negligence attorney in Easton, PA?

A landlord negligence lawyer can investigate your case, gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and pursue compensation. These cases are complex, and an attorney helps protect your rights and maximize recovery.

When should I contact a landlord negligence lawyer after an injury?

Contact an attorney as soon as possible after the injury so evidence can be preserved, deadlines met, and your rights protected.

Landlord Negligence Lawyer | Easton, PA

Q: What is landlord negligence in Pennsylvania?

Landlord negligence occurs when a property owner fails to maintain safe, habitable premises. This includes ignoring repair requests, violating housing codes, failing to fix dangerous conditions, or allowing hazards that cause injuries.

Landlord Negligence Lawyer Easton, PA

Home » Practice Areas » Personal Injury Lawyer Easton, PA » Landlord Negligence

Ed Shaughnessy, a landlord negligence lawyer in Easton, PA, fights on behalf of renters who have been injured by property negligence. If you’ve sustained serious harm while in an apartment or rental home, contact the Law Offices of Edward P. Shaughnessy to schedule a free consultation by calling 610-258-9955. or filling out the contact form.

What is Landlord Negligence in Pennsylvania?

Under the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, the following is required of landlords in Pennsylvania:

Responsibility to Maintain a Safe Premises: Under Pennsylvania law, they must keep the premises reasonably safe and free from hazards. This includes keeping up common areas, providing adequate lighting, and ensuring structural safety.

Repairing Dangerous Conditions: If they knew or should have known about a danger, such as broken stairs, leaking roofs, or defective wiring, and failed to fix it, they may be liable. Premises liability arises when this directly causes harm to another person.

Breach Of Implied Warranty Of Habitability: Under Pennsylvania habitality law, they are required to ensure properties are safe, sanitary, and fit for living. A breach occurs when conditions like no heat, water damage, or unsafe wiring make the place uninhabitable.

Code Violations and Housing Standards: These are enforced in various locations, including Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton. These set minimum safety and health standards. Code violations, including mold, pest infestations, or structural problems, can serve as evidence of landlord negligence in a premises liability claim.

Pennsylvania Landlord-Tenant Law Requirements

Pennsylvania’s Landlord and Tenant Act requires compliance with housing codes, habitable conditions, and necessary maintenance. Renters must give reasonable notice of needed repairs, after which property owners or managers have a legal obligation to address them.

Common Types of Landlord Negligence in Lehigh Valley

Slip and Fall Accidents on Rental Property

Icy sidewalks and parking lots are not salted
Broken stairs and handrails
Uneven flooring and torn carpeting
Poor lighting in hallways and stairwells
Water leaks create slip-and-fall hazards

Easton premises liability lawyer Ed Shaughnessy will carefully consider your case and determine the best approach to secure fair recovery. Call (610) 258-9955 for your free consultation.

Electrical System and Heating System Failures

A faulty electrical system is a major risk. If parts of the electrical system aren’t installed correctly or if they lack proper insulation, you could be at risk of electrocution. Electrocutions can cause harm or death. Easton electrocution injury attorney Ed Shaughnessy is familiar with harm caused by electrocution. He can help you pursue recovery through mediation or court procedures.

Fires

Fires caused by property negligence easily lead to property damage and fatalities. In Pennsylvania, property owners are required to install fire detectors, but in most cases, the tenant bears the responsibility of replacing the batteries.

Victims of fires should consult with a fire accident attorney in Easton, PA. As a skilled Lehigh Valley landlord negligence lawyer, Ed Shaughnessy has experience in representing individuals harmed or killed by fires and will pursue maximum compensation for your case.

Mold and Asbestos

Pennsylvania renters can pursue claims when toxic exposure causes illness and management failed to remedy known problems under the implied warranty of habitability. If landlords ignore written notices or violate housing codes, victims can sue for medical bills and other losses.

When your health has been impacted by hazardous building materials, seek the services of a skilled tenant attorney for personal injuries in Pennsylvania. PA mesothelioma lawyer Ed Shaughnessy can help you seek recovery for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

Inadequate Security and Criminal Attacks

Providing safe environments includes ensuring adequate security measures are in place to protect tenants. Failure to provide adequate security can include

Inadequate locks allowing break-ins
Broken security gates and entrance doors
Poor exterior lighting that attracts criminals
Not warning tenants of prior crimes on property
Faulty security cameras

Assaults and attacks occur frequently in Easton apartment complexes. In many cases, this is caused by inadequate security. If a tenant falls victim to crimes due to inadequate security, they can pursue a lawsuit. Consult with Easton inadequate security lawyer, Ed Shaughnessy, to learn more.

Structural Defects and Unsafe Balconies

In Pennsylvania, owners and managers must fix or replace deteriorating structures such as loose railings, rotted supports, or unstable flooring that pose a risk of collapse or harm. If they don’t, this is a breach of legal duty. Anyone harmed or killed by structural instability can seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses through a premises liability claim. Contact a landlord negligence attorney in Easton, PA, to learn more.

Child Injured on Rental Property

In addition to a responsibility towards their tenants, management also has a responsibility towards the tenants’ families, employees, business visitors, and guests. Naturally, this includes any children living on or visiting the rental property. PA child injury lawyer Ed Shaughnessy is prepared to help parents pursue recovery and justice for their child.

The Pennsylvania attractive nuisance doctrine protects children who might trespass because they are enticed by something that presents a potential danger. For example, a swimming pool. Property owners must take reasonable precautions to mitigate the risks.

If your child died in a swimming pool accident, a drowning accident lawyer in PA can help you file a lawsuit against the responsible party.

Common Examples of Landlord Negligence in Lehigh Valley Multi-Family Properties

Apartment buildings on College Hill near Lafayette College
Downtown Easton rental units
South Side Easton row homes and duplexes
West Ward apartment complexes

How to Prove Landlord Negligence in a Personal Injury Claim

To prove landlord negligence in Pennsylvania, tenants must show duty of care, breach, causation, and damages. The responsible party must have had control over the problem, known or should have known about it, and failed to correct it. Tenants should document all communication, requests, and any resulting injuries with photos and notes to establish that management failed to exercise ordinary care and directly caused specific harm.

Statute of Limitations on Landlord Negligence in PA

Under Pennsylvania law, all personal injury claims are subject to a 2-year statute of limitations. You must file your claim within 2 years of the date the injury occurred.

Can I Sue My Landlord in Pennsylvania?

Yes, Pennsylvania law allows tenants to pursue claims for landlord negligence. Like all property owners, landlords are expected to ensure safety on the premises through regular care and maintenance. If they don’t safely maintain a rental property is grounds for a premises liability case.

A Lehigh Valley tenant lawyer for personal injuries can help you sue for various types of accidents that result from landlord negligence. You may be eligible to recover damages for emotional distress, medical costs, property damage, lost wages, wrongful death, or other damages.

Defendants can only be held liable for hazards they are aware of.

City vs Landlord Liability in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, fault depends on who is responsible. Owners and managers are typically liable when harm results from poor maintenance, code violations, or failure to fix known defects.

A city or municipality may share blame only if the harm stems from negligent public property maintenance. For instance, unsafe sidewalks or municipal utilities, not the rental unit itself. Cities enforce housing codes, but are not automatically responsible for private areas. Determining liability requires examining ownership, maintenance duties, and notice of any dangers.

How to Report Your Landlord for Negligence in Pennsylvania

If your landlord ignores informal complaints, send a formal written demand detailing problems, needs, and potential risks if problems continue. State your expectation for timely repairs and note that you may take legal action if this remains unresolved. This letter documents your good-faith effort. Should they fail to remedy the problem, you can report them.

Pennsylvania residents can contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection (BAP) to report. You can also file a consumer complaint online or fill out and mail a Consumer Complaint Form to the BAP. If you need assistance with your complaint, call (717) 787-9707.

Additionally, if the location receives federal government assistance, report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by calling 1-800-685-8470.

You can pursue another case to recover any costs for rent in a new location if you’re forced into eviction after making a report.

If you’ve been hurt or become ill due to conditions on the rental property, seek medical attention, then contact a landlord negligence lawyer in Easton, PA to schedule a free consultation.

Why Do I Need a Property Negligence Attorney For My Landlord Negligence Claim in Lehigh Valley, PA?

Filing a lawsuit for landlord negligence can be a complex and intimidating process. It’s easy to make mistakes that could result in a poor outcome for your case. Landlord-tenant disputes can quickly become contentious. A landlord negligence attorney in Lehigh Valley will act in your best interests and work diligently to help you secure maximum compensation for your injury.

Easton personal injury lawyer Ed Shaughnessy is ready to assist Easton locals hold those responsible accountable via premises liability lawsuits. No matter the circumstances of your situation, Attorney Shaughnessy offers personalized legal support.

Contact a Lehigh Valley Landlord Liability Lawyer From Ed Shaughnessy’s Law Firm For a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been a victim of landlord negligence, contact The Law Offices of Ed Shuaghnessy. With more than 35 years of experience and extensive knowledge in Pennsylvania law, Easton landlord negligence lawyer Ed Shaughnessy provides reliable legal representation and fights tirelessly for clients and their families.

Take the first steps to seeking justice by contacting Ed Shaughnessy today. During your free consultation, he’ll discuss your legal options for pursuing legal action against all parties involved. Schedule your free consultation today by contacting us online or by calling (610) 258-9955.