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What do you know about your landlord’s security responsibilities?

On Behalf of | Jun 3, 2020 | Landlord Negligence

Even if your New Jersey neighborhood does not have a history of criminal activity, you still want to feel safe in your space. You depend on your landlord to provide you with a sense of security, but the two of you may not agree on who bears responsibility for providing specific security measures.

RentPost explores both landlord and tenant responsibilities regarding security. Understand where your responsibility begins and where your landlord’s ends.

Landlord obligations

Your unit should have an emergency exit in the event of a fire or other peril. You should also have access to a fire extinguisher somewhere on the property. Landlords who have storage units on the property have to ensure they do not store combustible materials inside the unit. Check to see that you have a source of natural light for every room of your unit. If you do not have an air conditioner, your windows should open at least halfway, and windows should also have locks. Landlords must also supply tenant units with working deadbolts for main entry doors.

Tenant obligations

Your landlord is not responsible for every security measure. As a tenant, you have to let your landlord know about any security maintenance issues, such as a window lock that does not work. You have to do your part to keep your unit clean and safe, and you also bear responsibility for utilizing all amenities in your unit for their intended manner. When you bring security measure issues to the property owner, she or he must promptly attend to them.

Your landlord may become negligent in making you feel safe in your home. By knowing both your responsibilities, you have a better idea of when you have a true issue on your hands.