Georgia law says that landlords who don’t take reasonable steps to protect people from foreseeable risks could be held liable for violent crime that occurs on their property.
Access gates, perimeter fences, adequate lighting, visible security cameras, and security guards have all been shown to reduce the potential for violent crime. Not all properties need all these security measures, but when there is a documented history of violent crime at a property, it is foreseeable that the crime will continue – unless the property owners and managers take efforts to stop it.
While police can investigate crimes, they can only do so much to prevent crimes. Landlords have the ability to implement security measures that make their properties less attractive to criminals. When landlords fail to protect their tenants and guests, it is up to the survivors of violent crime and the families of victims to stand up and hold them accountable in the civil justice system.
