Right to Safe Common Areas

The Right to Safe Common Areas is a legal protection that ensures tenants have the right to use and enjoy the shared spaces of their rental property without facing unreasonable risks or hazards. This right is based on the principle that landlords have a duty to maintain the common areas of their rental properties in a safe and habitable condition. Common areas may include lobbies, stairwells, elevators, parking lots, and outdoor spaces. Landlords must regularly inspect and repair any dangerous conditions in these areas, such as broken handrails, inadequate lighting, or uneven surfaces. If a tenant is injured due to a landlord’s failure to maintain safe common areas, the tenant may have grounds for a legal claim against the landlord.