What does Vicarious Liability hold the property manager responsible for?

Vicarious liability is a legal principle that holds one party responsible for the negligent actions of another, particularly in an employer-employee relationship. In the context of property management, this means that a property manager can be held liable for the actions of their employees while they are performing their job duties.

Property managers oversee the operations of a property, including the activities of staff such as maintenance workers, leasing agents, and administrative personnel. If an employee acts negligently while carrying out their duties—such as causing damage while performing repairs or mishandling tenant information—the property manager or owner may be held liable for those actions under the principle of vicarious liability. This ensures that injured parties have a means of compensation, as the employer (in this case, the property manager) typically has deeper pockets than an individual employee.

Understanding this principle emphasizes the importance of training, supervision, and proper management practices within property management to mitigate risks associated with employee actions.