Tenants in New York City should expect to live in safe, well-maintained buildings that do not put them at risk of violent crime or accidents. The law requires apartment building owners to keep their property safe and in good condition. They must, in particular, provide living conditions that are secure, safe from crime, have locks on windows and doors, and have adequate lighting.
This article will discuss NYC apartment security laws, negligent security cases, and what to do if you have been hurt in an apartment complex due to the negligence of property owners, landlords, slumlords, and NYCHA property owners.
Understanding NYC Apartment Security Laws
In New York City, owners are legally responsible for their tenants’ safety and security. Owners are expected to be proactive in maintaining their property, and there are several legal obligations that must be met to address any dangerous conditions that exist.
While not exhaustive, we’ve listed the NYC apartment security laws most relevant to negligent security cases in the area below.
| NYC Apartment Security Laws | |
| Safety and Security | Owners are responsible for maintaining safe and secure properties for common and individual apartment tenants. Landlords must take reasonable steps to protect tenants from crime. Buildings constructed or converted after 1967 must have self-locking, self-closing entrance doors. |
| Locks on Doors and Windows | Self-locking doors and locks on windows. These obvious features are necessary to prevent crime on any premise. Faulty locks can lead to assaults and murder. |
| Good Lighting | The property should have adequate lighting in apartments, entrances, and common areas. Having good lighting is important to keeping a building safe. |
Landlords and property owners are responsible for complying with all applicable state and local laws. Violent crime and accidents can occur when owners are negligent in providing safe and well-maintained property.
Negligent Security Law
Unfortunately, due to negligence on the part of apartment owners, tenants can fall victim to violent crime or become severely injured due to accidents caused by hazardous conditions. Victims in these situations typically struggle with their injuries and losses and are unaware of their legal rights to file a personal injury claim.Â
If you or someone you love has been hurt at your apartment complex and you believe negligence was responsible for the circumstances that led to your injuries, it’s essential that you speak with a legal professional who can evaluate your case to determine if negligence was involved and advise you on how a potential personal injury claim would be handled.
It’s important to note that proving negligence requires certain factors to be present. These factors include the following:
- Responsibility: To prove a property owner or landlord was negligent, it is necessary to establish that they were directly responsible for the safety and protection of the victim.
- Negligence: To prove negligence, it will be necessary to prove that an owner was responsible for the safety and security of the victim and neglected this responsibility.Â
- Causation: It will be necessary to prove that the owner’s negligence directly contributed to the victim’s injury.
- Damages: The victim must establish that they suffered direct damage due to the accident or crime.
Choose an Expert Personal Injury Lawyer in New York
Many victims who have been injured by a crime or accident in their apartment or the common areas of their building may delay seeking legal assistance simply because they feel partially responsible for their injuries or lack the information they need to take the right next best steps. Speaking with a legal professional can give you the confidence to seek justice and compensation for your personal and financial losses.Â
The Law Offices of Eric Richman has over twenty-five years of fighting for personal injury victims in all five boroughs of NYC. Our law offices have worked tirelessly to ensure clients injured due to negligence secure the legal outcomes they deserve. If you have questions about NYC apartment security laws, we offer free initial consultations 24/7, 365 days a year, to discuss the details of your case. We also provide confidential home and hospital visits if you cannot travel.
.Eric Richman’s team offers compassionate, expert legal representation for the New York City Area. To learn more, contact us for a free consultation or call us at (800) 801-9655.
