What does ordinary care mean for a landlord in Georgia?

In Georgia, the concept of ordinary care for a landlord encompasses the duty to take reasonable measures to maintain safety on the premises. This means that a landlord is expected to proactively ensure that the property is safe for tenants and visitors. This responsibility includes regularly inspecting the property for hazards, repairing any known issues, and addressing concerns that might pose a risk of harm.

The standard of ordinary care requires landlords to act in a way that a reasonable person would under similar circumstances. This proactive approach is necessary to fulfill their duty to keep the premises safe and secure. If a landlord fails to take these reasonable measures and an injury occurs as a result, they may be found liable for negligence.

Other choices don't fully capture the landlord's obligations. Simply checking for visible defects is insufficient because a reasonable measure of safety includes addressing hidden dangers as well, not just those that are immediately visible. Providing regular inspection reports to tenants is not typically considered a standard of care in the context of landlord liability; it does not directly relate to the maintenance and safety of the property itself. Assuming that properties are safe unless notified otherwise directly contradicts the principle of ordinary care, as it places the burden of alerting the landlord on the tenants instead of the landlord taking proactive steps to ensure safety.