Can you sue a landlord for not having secure doors on the property?

Question

My house I was renting didn't have really strong security doors. Friday night my home gets broken into and my computer, clothes, phones, dvds, my daughters toys, and some other items have been stolen. Could I sue the landlord for not having secure doors on the home? If so, what proof do I need? Someone told me, as long as the police reports states that the doors weren't secure I could sue her...is this true?

Answer 1

The door has to have a lock.    It does not have to be an offical "security door" but a regular door with a regular lock is enough.

The police stating that the door was not secure indicates it was left unlocked, not anything that the landlord has to be concerned over.

If you have no means to lock the door then you can in fact sue her.

Answer 2

I'm sorry to hear about your situation.  I hope you had renter's insurance.  The door would only need to meet the minimum requirements, which generally means that it must be lockable.  

If the door does not lock, you have grounds for suing your landlord.  If you have documentation showing that you have requested your landlord address the issue with the door, and it went ignored, then you have more grounds for suing your landlord.  

If your landlord was meeting the minimum requirements for doors, by what I assume would be standards imposed by the HUD of your state, then you have no case.  Sorry

Answer 3

Being a landlord I don't think you can. As long as you have a door with a key.  Some cities "Like mine Rockville, MD"  landlords have to have a rental license on the property if not you may have recourse. The BIG question is WHY DO YOU NOT HAVE RENTERS INSURANCE? Its cheap, and it covers your personal property.

Answer 4

No, you can't sue her for these losses.  You DID have renter's insurance, didn't you ?  That's where you should be going to recoup your loss.

By the way, 'a secure door' means one which will lock.  It has NOTHING to do with the strength of the door itself.

Answer 5

I hope you had renters insurance for your possessions - landlords insurance does not cover your belongings - that is your responsibility.

Answer 6

Yes and no. There is one really important question to answer first: did you complain about the doors prior to the break-in? If so, then you've got a solid case, especially if you have documentation. If not, then essentially you accepted the property as it was when you signed the lease. It will be a much tougher sell in court, though it's always possible with a crafty attorney. In the end, you're going to need to discuss this with a lawyer. May as well skip Y!A and call an attorney today. Good luck, and sorry about the break in!