Apartment Tenants Are at Higher Risk of Negligent Security

An apartment building should be a place where you feel safe coming home at night, walking to your car, or just relaxing inside your unit. But many apartment communities suffer from chronic security lapses that put tenants at a higher risk of crime. If a landlord or property manager fails to take reasonable steps to protect tenants from foreseeable harm, victims may have a valid legal claim for negligent security.

Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys strongly advocate for those injured by the negligence of property owners who cause criminal acts. We will provide you with the skilled, aggressive legal representation you need. Learn more by calling our Louisville office at (855) 385-9532.

Why Do Tenants Face Higher Risks of Crime?

Unlike many commercial spaces, apartment buildings mix private and shared areas. Residents rely heavily on property owners and managers to maintain safe conditions, especially in common areas such as parking lots, stairwells, hallways, laundry rooms, and mailrooms. There are several reasons why tenants are vulnerable to crime:

• Residents typically follow predictable routines. They leave for and return from work, walk their dogs, and pick up the mail. Criminals may target tenants or their units because they know when they’re likely to enter or exit the area
• An apartment complex may have dimly lit public areas, such as parking lots, stairways, or corridors. This makes it easier for criminals to hide, and it’s more difficult for tenants to see the danger they’ll encounter
• An apartment building may have many visitors, delivery services, contractors, and new tenants coming in and out. This flow may make it difficult for the landlord to limit access to those who belong on the property and keep out those who do not, increasing the risk of unauthorized access and crime
• If there are multiple buildings, shared gates, or unsecured entrances, tenants are particularly vulnerable. A broken gate or lock on a common door can expose every resident to harm

If property owners and managers know of the risks of crime, they must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable criminal acts against tenants. If they fail to do so, and a tenant or guest is hurt, that victim may have a valid negligent security claim and obtain compensation for the harm they suffer.

What are Security Failures in Apartment Buildings?

Negligent security cases show common mistakes. Some of them include the following:

• Doors to individual units, building entrances, or shared facilities lack functional locks. A broken deadbolt, a door that won’t latch, or a common-area entry that doesn’t require a key or code invites criminal activity
• Parking lots, sidewalks, breezeways, and stairwells are not adequately lit. Darkness is a major contributor to assaults and other crimes in apartment communities because it helps criminals hide and take tenants by surprise
• Properly placed security cameras deter criminals and help identify suspects. If there are no cameras or they’re not monitored or working, tenants lack a critical layer of protection against foreseeable crime
• If a large apartment complex is in or near a high-crime area, a reasonable step to protect tenants may be to hire trained security guards or implement routine patrols. If there are none, or they do their job negligently, tenants are at risk
• Landlords who become aware of prior crimes or suspicious activity on or near the property must take action to protect tenants. If an owner ignores these warning signs, they may be responsible for the harm they cause
• If a landlord is aware of a crime committed by a tenant, they should evict them to protect others. Failure to do so puts law-abiding tenants at risk
• If a property owner or a contractor they use fails to screen their employees for past arrests, convictions, or violent acts, and they hire a person with this history, this employee may have free access to tenants that they can victimize

Each apartment building, local area, and tenant is unique. There may be many other mistakes a property owner or manager can make that unreasonably expose a tenant to criminal behavior.

How Can Satterley & Kelley, PLLC Help Victims of Negligent Security?

Proving negligent security requires a detailed investigation and knowledge of applicable Kentucky law. Apartment owners and their insurance carriers rarely admit fault. We can help by doing the following:

• Reviewing police reports and 911 call logs
• Looking at video security footage
• Interviewing witnesses, tenants, current, and former employees
• Identifying security failures
• Working with security experts to review the property’s deficiencies
• Determining the responsible parties, including owners, property managers, and security contractors

Tenants who are victims of assaults and other crimes may feel overwhelmed, violated, and unsafe in their own homes. A negligent security claim can provide you with an opportunity to hold negligent landlords accountable and seek the compensation you deserve.

If You are a Crime Victim at an Apartment Complex, Don’t Face This Alone

Satterley & Kelley, PLLC lawyers have the experience required to successfully challenge insurance companies and win when crimes at an apartment building leave a tenant injured.

We are known throughout Kentucky for recovering millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for negligence victims and their families. Our attorneys will fight for you to obtain the compensation you deserve due to a property owner’s negligence.

If you want to schedule a free initial consultation at our Louisville office, call 502-589-5600 (toll-free at 855-385-9532) or complete our contact form.