Legal Q&A:

Legal Q&A: Am I liable if renter fell while backing down stairs?

April 4, 2017

Question: My renter was backing downstairs carrying a 38-pound bag of clothes and fell and broke her wrist. Can I be sued and a judgment obtained against me?

Answer: You would only be liable if you were negligent in the way you maintained the stairs and your negligence was a proximate cause of the injury. You should notify your insurance carrier as soon as possible.

Question: Our window was broken by a golf ball hit by the tenant of a neighboring property. They admitted they owed me for a new window but moved away before I could collect on it. Is the owner of the property responsible because it was their tenant?

This page contains members-only content!
Sign In To View or learn more about joining CAA

Recent Legal Q&A posts:

Tagged: Columns Compliance Legal Q&A

Join CAA

Joining CAA will help you comply with laws and regulations that you need to understand for the protection of your rental housing business.

Learn More

QUICK LINKS

Rental Assistance Program
CTRA - COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act
AB 1482 - State Rent Caps
COVID-19 - General Information
Newsroom
Contribute to the Rental Housing Survival Fund

Newest Posts

Bill would mandate lease-guarantor disclosure in five languages April 19, 2021
L.A. to hike inspection fees, but program reform possible April 19, 2021
CAA derails bills that would harm rental housing providers April 15, 2021

Kevin, I don't say this often, but from the second we began this relationship you have been nothing but a wealth of knowledge and a tremendous help. I cannot thank you enough for being so flexible with us. Thank you again!
– Jeff P. — Menlo Park, CA

I recently needed to take a few hours of classes to complete my Recertification as a CAA California Certified Residential Manager. I found it very convenient to do this through on demand classes at my office. The classes are well done and gave great education to further my property management skills. I even registered my maintenance team to listen to some of the classes. It benefitted us all. Thank you CAA!
– Beverly C. — Berkeley, CA

I just want to say Thank You Team at CAA. Being a Landlord in California is frightening enough -- but with you, not as scary! I just know someone on the team understands!
– Kristi B. — Lewiston, CA

We could not have accomplished the defeat of Measure C without CAA. We have been CAA members for over 30 years and membership fees have been returned to us “100 fold” with protection of our rental owner rights and the defeat of rent control in Santa Rosa. We at Pine Creek and Goodwin Property Management thank CAA for always supporting us.
– Patty G. — Santa Rosa, CA

I would describe CAA as my "Best Friend" in this venture called LANDLORDING. So happy you are there!
– Marsha W. — Fresno, CA

Thank you. You guys conducted a great campaign with Measure C. We would have obviously lost without your management, coordination, and hard work. Sure glad you guys are here...
– Rich B. — San Rafael, CA

We have been a CAA members since 1984. CAA has provided us the guidance needed to successfully manage our property. The rental forms keep us on solid legal ground which has minimized our management workload and helped us maintain quality housing for our clients. Your weekly e-news keeps us appraised of property management issues to be on the lookout for. Your work in the California State legislature in Sacramento has provided valuable representation for our industry. Keep up the excellent work!
– Forrest L. — Ridgecrest, CA

Andrea was very helpful and thorough. She provided different points and angles to my question for my consideration. In her questions she revealed that we need to revamp our internal paperwork and provided references from CAA's forms. I was very satisfied and felt confident in the decisions our company needs to make regarding the matter we sought with CAA. Thank you CAA. We appreciate your help.

Dear Ms. Moss, I want to personally thank you for your timely and very professional response. You are very thorough AND you provide examples and attachments how to find solutions and how to address the issues effectively. What you did would have taken me hours of research and still I wouldn't feel as confident in my ability because I am not up to date on how certain areas of a contract are practiced.

I was wary about joining CAA but after today I know I did the right thing and plan on continuing my membership for a long time.

Many thanks
– Ravi K. — Folsom, CA

I recently needed to take a few hours of classes to complete my Recertification as a CAA California Certified Residential Manager. I found it very convenient to do this through on demand classes at my office. The classes are well done and gave great education to further my property management skills. I even registered my maintenance team to listen to some of the classes. It benefited us all.
– Beverly C. — Berkeley, CA