Landlord's Liability for Latent Defects Impairing Habitability

A tenant, having discovered serious defects in the leased property affecting its habitability, terminated the lease contract, claiming rescission and damages, but the lower courts rejected the claim for rescission, finding that the obligation to maintain the premises did not extend to hidden defects requiring extensive work, which the tenant should have discovered. The reviewing court quashed this decision, holding that the landlord's obligation to deliver a property fit for its intended use pursuant to the lease includes the duty to remedy latent defects that significantly impede the use of the property, even if they require substantial work, and that the lower court erred by subordinating this essential obligation to the mere need for extensive repairs.