Landlord Liability for Uninhabitable Premises

A property owner appealed a decision that held them liable for damages sustained by a tenant due to the ruinous state of the leased premises, arguing that the tenant's responsibility for minor maintenance and the absence of prior notification of the defect absolved them. The court rejected the appeal, affirming that under the relevant civil code provision, the landlord remains liable for substantial defects rendering the property unfit for its intended use, regardless of whether the tenant was aware of the issue or responsible for minor repairs, as the landlord has a fundamental obligation to ensure the safety and habitability of the leased property.