Safety and Maintenance to Avoid Common Property Liabilities

 Safety and Maintenance to Avoid the Most Common Property Liabilities

Liability risk is a noted concern for landlords and property owners. Some of the more common property liabilities can be addressed quickly to ensure safety and efficiency for tenants and owners.

Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards

A high-risk liability in any dwelling or building would be the opportunity for a slip, trip or fall to occur. When these instances occur not only can damage be done to a structure, but a person may also be injured. These sorts of injuries can fall under the liability of the building owner if necessary precautions were not in place.

• Stairwells and steps should be well taken care of with handrails present. Slip guards, treads on steps and anti-slip mats can be good fixes to areas that have the potential to cause a person to fall and be injured. 
• If sidewalks, flooring or walking areas have cracks, dips or uneven surfaces the areas should be well-marked. Contacting a contractor to evaluate any areas of concern and addressing flooring issues could go a long way in preventing a potential slip, trip or fall.

Lighting and Signage

Well-lit areas and properly cleared means of egress are important life safety factors. Especially in a single-family dwelling with people coming and going. Adequate lights and clear paths will help tenants find a safe area in the event of a fire or weather disaster.

• Hallways, stairwells and areas of assembly that have adequate lighting will provide a safe atmosphere for people to navigate a dwelling with ease. 
• Checking light fixtures and changing out bulbs will allow for a dwelling owner to keep the lights on and working for the safety of all.

System Maintenance

To avoid system breakdown and/or a serious catastrophe, it is important to check over all of the system units in a property.

• The heating and air-conditioning units should be up to date with semi-annual maintenance checks. Filters should be replaced as needed to avoid a disruption of service.
• Electrical system maintenance is important to keep the power operating and to also avoid any potential hazards. Circuit breaker boxes should be checked and tagged. 
• Proper maintenance system checks should be recorded so property owners can see the life of a furnace, AC unit, etc. and know when updates or upgrades are required.