Asked by user in Pennsylvania. Answered by Enjuris Editors.
Hello, Dennis. There are 2 parts to this question. First, your landlord is responsible for the people hired to care for the property. If an employee harms you or your property, the management or landlord can be held liable. It’s also the landlord’s duty to provide reasonable security for tenants. (You can read more about a landlord’s responsibilities here.)
Second, the individual who stole your things can be criminally prosecuted. If you believe you are the victim of a crime, you can contact the local police department, which might be able to recover your stolen items.
Depending on the value of the items stolen, you could file a small claims action against the landlord to recover costs for replacing your things, or you could file a traditional lawsuit. It’s also very important that you’re documenting your communications with the landlord. If you’ve reported that items were stolen, keeping records of that communication can be beneficial to you in a lawsuit because it proves that the landlord had notice of a hazardous condition (in this case, an untrustworthy employee). Saving sent emails, texts, or notes of phone calls or in-person visits can provide proof that the landlord was aware that you believe the employee was stealing your property.
If you need additional guidance or to file a lawsuit, I’d encourage you to use the Enjuris law firm directory to find a lawyer near you who can help you pursue your legal options.