Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) Practice Test

Under what circumstance can a resident sue the apartment manager for injury related to criminal activity?

1. If the manager ignored the criminal activity

2. If the resident was involved in the criminal act

3. If the manager acted unreasonably in a foreseeable risk

4. If the manager had no prior knowledge of the crime

The correct answer is: If the manager acted unreasonably in a foreseeable risk

Choosing the option indicating that a resident can sue the apartment manager for injury related to criminal activity if the manager acted unreasonably in a foreseeable risk is correct. This is rooted in the principles of negligence and duty of care. Property managers have a legal obligation to provide a safe living environment for their residents. If there is a known risk of criminal activity in the area, and the manager fails to take reasonable steps to mitigate that risk—such as improving security measures or informing residents—their actions (or inactions) could be deemed negligent. In this scenario, the determination of liability hinges on whether the criminal activity was foreseeable to the manager. If the manager should have anticipated the potential for crime based on prior incidents or other risk factors, and they failed to take appropriate action, it could be grounds for a lawsuit brought by a resident injured as a result. This approach reflects a broader legal understanding that entities responsible for maintaining properties are expected to be proactive in ensuring safety and security for their tenants. When a manager disregards this responsibility when faced with a foreseeable risk, it opens them up to liability.