What is the responsibility ofa landlord if the people that they hire to make repairs break into a tenant’s house?
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What is the responsibility ofa landlord if the people that they hire to make repairs break into a tenant’s house?
The maintenance man was not bonded or licensed.
Asked on October 10, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Missouri
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Under acceptable agency law under all states in this country, if an agent for the landlord does something that causes damages to a third party, the landlord and the agent are jointly and severally responsible for the dmages assuming liability is established by the third person.
In your situation, if the person or persons hired by the landlord to make repairs on a rental and the agents of the landlord subsequently break into the rental (tenant's house) and take things, obviously the agents are responsible for the damages but also the landlord for hiring these people who caused the problem.
In all likelihood the landlord will contend that the break in by his agents was not foreseeable and were not part of the agent's job desccription. However, most laws in all of our states will hold the landlord responsible for the damages.
Good question.
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