Is a landlord liable for a tenant's dog bite?

In Washington, a landlord can be liable if they knew or should have known that a tenant’s dog posed a risk of harm to others. This means that landlords must be aware of the actions a dog has done in the past and the risk it may possess to others. There are several ways the landlord can be held at fault, such as if they allowed the dog on the property despite not meeting the lease requirements, or if the landlord had knowledge of a prior dog bite. If the landlord is found liable, they would be held to the same negligence standards as the tenant. This means that the landlord could be responsible for compensating the victim for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This could be a significant amount of money, so landlords should take necessary steps to protect themselves and their tenants, such as requiring liability insurance. In addition, landlords should consider a dog bite policy in their lease agreement. This would outline the expectations for tenants who own dogs, such as notifying the landlord of a dog bite. It would also help to minimize legal action against the landlord by creating an agreement between the tenant and the landlord about how to handle incidents involving the tenant’s dog. Overall, a landlord can be liable for a tenant’s dog bite in Washington. The landlord must have been aware of the risk the dog posed and should take proactive steps to protect themselves and their tenants. This includes having clear policies and requiring liability insurance for tenants who own dogs.

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Is a landlord liable for a tenant's dog bite?

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