Is the renting agency at my apartment complex required by law to inform of break-ins in our units?
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Is the renting agency at my apartment complex required by law to inform of break-ins in our units?
I live in NC in a non-gated apartment complex. 2 other units have been burglarized in the past month. I am a single female living alone and was hoping to find out if they are required by NC law to provide notification of these incidents to all residents. There have also been several vehicles broken into, which they handled by sending out a notice on our doors to leave our cars locked and not leave valuables visible.
Asked on April 2, 2011 under Real Estate Law, North Carolina
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
What you are asking is I believe an issue as to "notice" requirements. In other words, what is the obligation of the landlord under the law to notify tenants of the crime in the area. Not many states have statutes that relate to this issue and only one state - not NC - makes it an affirmative obligation for a landlord to do something about tenants committing crimes. But you can look at it a different way. You can look at it as a warranty of habitability issue. A landlord is required to keep a tenant safe n their environment. So they should have appropriate locks, etc. I would speak with a tenant's rights organization in your area. Check and see what they say on the matter. Sometimes even if the law is not specific to your issue you can organize enough of a voice to make a change. Good luck.
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