Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC | Washington Legal Blog

Avoid Slip And Fall Injuries On Your Rented Property

If you live in Washington state and rent a house or apartment, how can you prevent slip and fall injuries on the property? Although not all slip and fall injuries are preventable, and although not all slip and fall injuries that take place on rental property are due to someone else's negligence, there are a few things you can do to prevent slip and fall cases in these situations.

1. Report dangerous conditions. If there is a broken stair, uneven pavement, unsafe deck, etc., make sure that your landlord is aware of the problem - they can't fix it if they don't know about it. The majority of landlords will send a professional to fix the issue and keep your building safe.

2. Keep on them if they do not respond. If the situation is not remedied in a timely manner, keep writing letters and keep a record of what they said and when you sent them. This way, if an accident does occur, there is written proof that the landlord was aware of the issue and did not respond.

3. Make sure the repair is done well. While most landlords will send professionals to fix problems, a few will attempt to make repairs themselves. While some are able to do so well, others may rely on a temporary solution or do a shoddy job of fixing the problem. If the latter is the case, write another letter voicing your concern.

4. Ice and snow should be shoveled. Landlords' duties go beyond making sure that repairs are made - they are also responsible for removing ice and snow from step, walkways, and driveways. If you slip and fall because this snow and ice was not removed, your landlord has been negligent.