Pg 29 Flashcards
What is a landlord’s liability for criminal acts?
- if they were foreseeable
- and the landlord had control over the part of the premises or the person
- and the landlord’s failure facilitated commission of the crime that injured the tenant or others on the property
- then the landlord is liable
What is the duty of a landlord in relation to providing security to prevent crime?
The landlord must use reasonable care to provide and maintain security devices to prevent crime.
There is no general duty to provide security in common areas, but there is a duty to carry out security programs that a Landlord voluntarily undertakes
What is the landlord’s liability for having employees that commit criminal acts or that fail to prevent criminal acts?
The landlord is liable for negligent hiring, supervision, or retention of untrustworthy employees that commit criminal acts, or guards that fail to prevent them
When does negligence apply to a landlord in relation to harm or danger to people on the landlord’s property?
If a reasonably prudent person at the time and place would have recognized or foreseen an unreasonable risk or likelihood of harm or danger to others. If such a person would have foreseen danger from another’s voluntary or criminal act, there is liability
What are the foreseeability factors that come into play when deciding if the landlord was negligent for not taking steps to secure the property from danger or criminals?
The history of crime in the area, if the tenant complained of criminal acts or fear for his safety, etc.
Does it subject a landlord to liability if he foresaw crimes in the neighbourhood and did nothing about it?
No, he would have to have foreseen crimes on his property.
If a landlord fails to provide locks that are required by statute, what is that a breach of?
The implied warranty of habitability
When there’s a condo involved and someone gets hurt because of negligence, who is responsible?
The condo association
What are fixtures?
Chattels that are on or affixed to the land, or structures that the landowner added to improve the land. These are considered to be real property.
Is it possible for a life tenant or a lessee to remove fixtures that they installed on the land?
Yes
If during a leasehold a tenant erects a new building or a permanent improvement on the land, what happens to it?
The chattel is annexed to the landlord and cannot be removed because ownership has passed to him
What are the factors to consider when deciding if a building or permanent improvement that a tenant made on land can be removed?
If the chattels are firmly embedded/connected with the soil/a pre-existing fixture, if they are peculiarly adapted or fitted to the particular premises, if removal would largely destroy the chattels or damage the premises, if the annexor had a substantial and permanent interest in the land
What is a trade fixture?
Something used by the tenant in his trade or business on the property that can be removed unless serious damage would be done by its removal
How does the length of the leasehold relate to the tenant’s ability to remove chattels?
The shorter the time of the leasehold, the more likely he should be allowed to remove chattels but he annexed
If a tenant installs equipment and fixtures without any obligation or intention to benefit the landlord, can he remove them when the lease ends?
Yes, so long as he repairs any damage from their removal
If there is an expressed agreement regarding building or improvements made during the course of a leasehold, what happens?
It is followed
When deciding whether a tenant is allowed to remove buildings or permanent improvements that he made to the land at the end of the leasehold, what are the four factors that should be considered?
– The degree of attachment
– the general custom regarding the item
– the degree of harm caused by removal (if it can be done without damage, it’s likely allowed)
– the timing of the removal (before sale or before lease end)
When must a tenant remove fixtures from the land by?
Before the end of the lease, unless there are extenuating circumstances
When must an owner remove fixtures from the land by?
Before the closing of the sale
What is a servitude?
Rights of use/non-possessory interest in real property that are possessed by another. These are not rights of possession, they are just rights of use
Does a servitude’s obligation run with the land?
Usually. This means that later owners must comply with it even if they didn’t expressly agree to it.
Is the right to be free from nuisance considered to be a servitude?
No, it is a right that is normally implied from ownership of land
Is a right of way across a neighbour’s land considered to be a servitude?
Yes, because it is on land that is possessed by another
What is a restrictive covenant?
Ie: each owner has the right to prevent neighbours from using their own property for anything besides residential purposes