Question of Fact Whether Out-of-Possession Landlord Relinquished Control of the Premises to the Extent that Its Duty to Maintain the Premises in a Reasonably Safe Condition Was Extinguished—Lease Allowed Landlord to Reenter to Inspect and Make Repairs and Improvements

The Second Department determined there were questions of fact whether an out-of-possession landlord (Marphil Realty) was liable for a dangerous condition (resulting in a fire). The lease gave the landlord the right to reenter during usual business hours in order to inspect the premises and to make repairs and improvements. Therefore there was a question of fact whether the landlord had relinquished complete control over the property such that its duty to maintain the property in a reasonably safe condition was extinguished:

“Generally, a landowner owes a duty of care to maintain his or her property in a reasonably safe condition” … . “That duty is premised on the landowner’s exercise of control over the property, as the person in possession and control of property is best able to identify and prevent any harm to others'” … . Accordingly, “a landowner who has transferred possession and control is generally not liable for injuries caused by dangerous conditions on the property” … . However, an out-of-possession landlord may be liable for injuries occurring on the premises if “it has retained control of the premises, is contractually obligated to perform maintenance and repairs, or is obligated by statute to perform such maintenance and repairs” … . Yehia v Marphil Realty Corp., 2015 NY Slip Op 05670, 2nd Dept 7-1-15