Lanlord liable????

[TheTracker]

Georgia,

My apartment was broken into........The perpatrator sexually assaulted my child......The perpatrator was never caught....(still under investigation). Landlord installed modified locks for the windows, offered to let us move into an upper level apartment, offered to lower the rent. Am I missing something?, or is the landlord trying to pacify me so I won't try to hold them liable?

Can I hold them liable?
Does modifying the window locks prove they knew more could be done for security?
Should I get a lawyer and start a civil action?

HELP HELP HELP

 

[jlw1000]

What happened to your child was tragic and I offer my condolences.

Normally a landlord can not be held responsible for the criminal acts of another person. (No matter how despicable the act.) How could the landlord possibly know that someone would break into your home & hurt you child? (Some people don't even know when this happens under their own roof--i.e. a family member molesting a child!)

As for modifying the window locks, it sounds like the landlord is trying to give you peace of mind that you will be safer. (Although locks only deter innocent people, a criminal could just smash a window to gain access.) The landlord allowing you to move to an upper level apartment, this is probably another way for him to give you peace of mind. The landlord lowering the rent--it seems the landlord empathises with what you are going through and wants to ease your burden in any way he can. (But this does not make him liable.)

It sounds like your landlord is one of the good guys, why punish him for a low-life scum's behavior?

All the landlord has to provide is locks on the windows, if there were no locks at all then he may be liable. As a tenant (& parent)I would never rent a place without locking windows, and if I did I would not be taking responsibility for my family. (And would bear some of the liability!) From your post it sounds like there were locks on the windows.

 

[happy&lucky]

Unfortunately, unless you can prove that there were other breakins, other assults, other arrests, were there Crack Vials and or lots of used condoms in the parking lot very recently say in the last 2 or 3 months and the landlord did NOTHING to increase security...then you might have a case.

 

[DECEMBERSGIRL]

MY SYMPATHIES ALSO!!IT DOES SEEM LIKE YOUR LANDLORD IS IN FACT ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS BUT AGAIN YOU ARE PROBABLY THINKING SOUNDS TOO NICE TO BE TRUE RIGHT? I AGREE WITH THE FIRST RESPONSE. BUT MAYBE FOR YOUR WELL-BEING AND YOUR CHILDS YOU SHOULD TAKE HIM UP ON HIS OFFER IT MAY BE GOOD FOR THE CHILD TO BE IN A DIFFERENT AREA THAN WHERE THE CRIME TOOK PLACE. ALSO HIGHER UP IS SAFER. ANY WAY GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING JUST IN CASE.
ROACH BOY - DO YOU HAVE ANY MANNERS AT ALL????

 

[happy&lucky]

Yes I have manners, But if you want to hold the Landlord responsible, the Judge is going to want answers to those questions.

 

[DECEMBERSGIRL]

well thats true but i do not think the landlord is responsible if in fact there were locks on the windows. if it were a " high-crime" area then i would definitly agree that maybe more security measures MIGHT be the landlords responsiblity but still i do not believe that he would be held responsible even given the unfortunate ugly incident.