If you’re hurt or injured on a rental property, you may wonder if you can sue a negligent landlord in Connecticut. The answer is yes; if you have reason to believe your damage or injury is a result of negligence, you can sue to protect your rights as a tenant.

With that in mind, how can you sue a Connecticut landlord for negligence?

What Constitutes Negligence in CT? 

Before we discuss negligent landlords in Connecticut, let’s establish what constitutes negligence.  

Failure To Assess and Properly Repair Property 

One of the primary reasons people sue a negligent Connecticut landlord is that they haven’t done a complete job assessing and repairing their rental property. 

A certain amount of wear and tear is inevitable, especially in older properties. But the landlord has a responsibility to their tenants to ensure the rental is safe to live in before they let you move in. 

If property repairs aren’t thorough, they can lead to illness and injury. It’s important to stress that this isn’t the tenant’s fault. 

Examples of insufficient repairs include: 

Inadequate Communication With Tenant 

You can also sue a Connecticut landlord for negligence if they don’t communicate with you effectively or reliably. 

When your property sustains damage, whether from age, weather, or emergencies like burst pipes, the impetus is on the landlord to fix it. 

There’s a certain amount of responsibility on the tenant to reach out with problems, but ultimately, arranging for the repairs remains the landlord’s job. 

If the landlord doesn’t respond in a timely fashion and the problem persists, you can sue them for negligence. 

Insufficient Documentation 

Another sign of a negligent landlord is the failure to document things properly. This may range from arrangements for rental repairs to lease agreements. 

Instead, these landlords prefer to rely on word-of-mouth. This makes it challenging not only to pin down things like times and dates for property repairs or inspections but also to prove negligence. 

This can become problematic if, for instance, your flat becomes flooded and the landlord needs to relocate you temporarily. For that reason, don’t be afraid to insist on written communication for things like: 

This last often gets overlooked, but it’s important because it proves the property you live in is legally available for renting.  

What To Expect from a Landlord 

These factors constitute a negligent landlord in Connecticut. But what can you reasonably expect a competent landlord to do for you? 

Thoroughly Explain and Repair Property 

Typically, you take responsibility for property damage that occurs after your move-in. For that reason, negligent landlords often provide evasive answers when you talk to them about the property. 

The hope is that by eluding the question you’ll undertake the repairs.

Conversely, reputable landlords will point out existing damage and arrange to fix it before you move in. 

Regular Communication 

Regular communication is about more than a speedy reply to a query about damages incurred. 

The age of social media has made communication easier than ever. Reputable landlords respond quickly and use professional communication methods to keep tenants abreast of essential information. 

This might include:

  • Repairs 
  • Property inspections/valuations 
  • Lease updates 

As part of the communication process, they will also take time and effort to ensure you receive appropriate documentation for your tenancy. 

First Impressions Matter 

Our snap judgments of people aren’t always accurate. But when it comes to finding a discerning landlord, this is one occasion where it’s safe to trust your gut. 

Pay attention to red flags like:

Potentially negligent Connecticut landlords may be subtler than this. Another common flag is to request a non-refundable deposit. 

While deposits are normal when you sign a lease, you can usually expect to get at least part of that money back unless there’s just cause to hold onto it. For instance, landlords who accommodate pets often request an additional deposit to cover potential damages.  

If a landlord mentions a non-refundable deposit, don’t hesitate to ask why and request documentation. Once they provide the documentation, take time to read the fine print.

Depending on the cause, it may not be legal.  

Summing Up 

Can you sue a negligent landlord in CT? 

Absolutely. However, it helps to have working legal knowledge to present a compelling case. With that in mind, it’s helpful to consult an expert.

Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, Premises Liability Lawyers

If you’ve been injured in an accident at your rented home or apartment complex, contact Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law and speak with a skilled premises liability lawyer as soon as possible. Our firm has an in-depth knowledge of personal injury laws, we have extensive experience in successfully representing a wide range of premises liability cases, and we pride ourselves in being able to provide clients with the passionate representation they deserve. 

Locations across Connecticut. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Posted by: Brandon J. Bro…
Date: Thu, 10/13/2022 - 12:34

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