Can I be held responsible for the actions of my tenant?

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Can I be held responsible for the actions of my tenant?

Area residents are asking me to evict one of my tenants due to her kid being suspected of vandaizing the area vehicles. He has been in trouble with the law before. Basically, they want her family out.

Asked on July 15, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Wisconsin

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

The liability of a landlord for the actions of their tenants depends on the activity involved and the state law in which you live.  Landlords in most states have some degree of legal responsibility to protect their tenants from would-be assailants and thieves and from the criminal acts of fellow tenants.  In California it falls under the nuisance act for many activities.  Seek help from ana ttorney in your area. If you have knowledge of the activity or it could have been foreseen that he would do this - he did it before - then you could have a problem going forward.  Good luck.


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