A building code is a standard that buildings and structures must comply with to be deemed safe and inhabitable. Any violation of these regulations can result in serious injuries or property damage to workers, tenants, and visitors. If you suffered injuries or damages due to building code violations your landlord can be held liable for your expenses. Reach out to a Geneva, Illinois personal injury lawyer today for more information.
What Are Tenants’ Rights?
Tenants have various rights enforceable under local, state, and federal laws. A person who rents a house or apartment has the right to:
- Habitability: Tenants have the right to a habitable living environment that is safe and meets health standards. A habitable home will be reasonably fit to live in and free from any unsafe conditions.
- Code compliance: In addition to having a habitable space, tenants have the right to a building that complies with all relevant housing and health codes.
- Report violations: Tenants are legally allowed to report building code violations to proper authorities. Landlords cannot retaliate against them for making a report.
- Legal remedies: If the landlord does not rectify a code violation tenants may be legally allowed to withhold rent, terminate their lease agreement early, or take other legal action.
Will My Landlord Be Held Liable for Building Code Violations?
If your apartment or home has an issue you should report it to the landlord as soon as possible. The problem may be related to a building code violation and your landlord should work to rectify the issue quickly.
If the landlord fails to address the issue in a reasonable amount of time you can withhold rent or pay for repairs and deduct the expenses from your rent. Your landlord may be held liable for the following.
- Injuries: Your landlord may be liable for any injuries sustained by you or a visitor. If a building code violation occurs and causes immediate harm or if the violation is not rectified and results in an accident, you can pursue legal action to cover expenses related to your injury. For example, if a fire is caused by faulty wiring and you have to get treated for burns, you can seek compensation from your landlord for your medical bills.
- Property damage: If a code violation causes damage to the building or your property as the resident, your landlord can be liable for paying to repair or replace the damaged items. Suppose that the same faulty wiring fire created heat damage to the floor, walls, and your couch. Your landlord will be on the hook to repair the floor and walls as well as replace or reimburse you for your furniture.
- Penalties: Being in violation of a building code can result in penalties and fines from the local or state governments. Fines will accumulate daily until the issue is resolved.
Contact a Skilled Attorney
Landlord liability can be a complex topic. Reach out to an experienced lawyer who can help guide you through the legal process and ensure you understand your rights as a tenant.
