In a recent Court of Appeal case the owner of a long leasehold interest in a flat in a block of flats was held liable to compensate the tenant of his flat who had tripped over and injured himself on an uneven paving stone on the pathway to the front door to the block of flats. This was so even though the owner of the flat had no knowledge of the potentially dangerous state of the pathway.
This is a surprising decision because it extends the liability of an owner of a flat in a block of flats even though he is not the freeholder (or head lessor).
The answer is for the owner of a flat who rents it out to make sure that he has adequate insurance cover against liability to his tenant(s) or the tenants visitors.
For further information and/or advice about any aspect of renting out residential property contact Nick Lambert on 0114 266 6660 or by email [email protected]
