Criminal Acts and Activities: Landlord Liability FAQ

Questions:

• What are the landlord's responsibilities for tenant safety and security?
• How can a landlord limit responsibility for crime committed by strangers on the rental property?
• What kind of legal trouble do landlords face from tenants who deal drugs on the property?
• How can a property owner avoid liability because of tenants who deal drugs or otherwise break the law?

Answer:

What kind of legal trouble do landlords face from tenants who deal drugs on the property?

Drug-dealing tenants can cause landlords all kinds of practical and legal problems:

• Anyone who is injured or annoyed by drug dealers -- be it other tenants or people in the neighborhood -- may sue the landlord on the grounds that the property is a public nuisance that seriously threatens public safety or morals.
• Local, state, or federal authorities may levy stiff fines against the landlord for allowing illegal activity to continue.
• Law enforcement authorities may seek criminal penalties against the landlord for knowingly allowing drug dealing on the rental property.
• In extreme cases, the presence of drug dealers may result in the government confiscating the rental property.
• A drug dealing environment can make it difficult to find and keep good tenants, and the value of the rental property will plummet.