Landlord Liability for Fire Caused by Unavoidable Electrical Defect

A tenant sued the landlord for damages resulting from a fire that began in the leased premises due to an electrical defect, arguing the landlord breached the obligation to maintain the property in a suitable condition for its intended use. The appellate court, however, held the landlord not liable, attributing the fire to an unavoidable electrical defect. The Supreme Court quashed this decision, reasoning that the landlord's obligation to ensure the tenant's peaceful enjoyment of the premises, which implies maintaining the property in a condition fit for its intended purpose, is a legal obligation that can only be discharged if the landlord proves the defect was caused by an external event, such as force majeure, or by the fault of the tenant or a third party, none of which were established in this case.