Braitman v. Overlook Terrace Corp.

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

Pashman, J.

The principal question posed by this appeal is whether a landlord may incur civil liability to a residential tenant for loss occasioned by theft on the basis of the landlord’s failure to supply adequate locks on the door to plaintiffs’ premises. The trial court, sitting without a jury, entered judgment for plaintiffs and the Appellate Division affirmed, Braitman v. Overlook Terrace Corp., 132 N. J. Super. 51 (App. Div. 1974). We granted defendant’s petition for certification to consider the proper scope of a residential landlord’s duty with…