Trentacost v. Brussel

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

PASHMAN, J.

Once again this Court is asked to examine the contours of the relationship between residential landlords and their tenants.1 Specifically, the question is whether a landlord who provides inadequate security for common areas of rental premises may be liable for failing to prevent a criminal assault upon a tenant. The trial court entered judgment for the tenant upon a jury’s award of damages. The Appellate Division affirmed. 164 N.J. Super. 9 (App.Div.1978). We granted defendant’s petition for *218certification, 81 N.J. 48 (1979), to consider…