Opinion ID: 1262875
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the landlord's agents

Text: Remaining for our consideration are the summary judgment rulings in favor of defendants Security Investments and Security Police. Two contracts in the record demonstrate the establishment of a principal/agency relationship between Moore and Security Investments and a subagency relationship between Security Investments and Security Police. Security Investments was hired by Moore to manage the building housing Sharp's employer. The contract between them provided in relevant part: Contractor [Security Investments] shall [make] appropriate arrangements for and [supervise] the delivery of utility, security, ... and other services incidental to the operation of the Project, all in a manner consistent with the efficient operation of a first class office development and in accordance with such specific guidelines as may from time to time be given by Owner. R. Vol. 2, at 12 (emphasis added). It is axiomatic that an agency relationship is created where one who hires another has retained a contractual right to control the other's manner of performance. Bryant v. Sherm's Thunderbird Market, 268 Or. 591, 522 P.2d 1383 (1974); Smith v. Henger, 148 Tex. 456, 226 S.W.2d 425 (1950). The contract between the building manager and Security Police provided the following explicit agency-creating language: Security Police is hereby given authority and made agent to act in behalf of and to do all acts that Subscriber could do to protect the above premises from PROWLERS, VANDALS, OR UNAUTHORIZED INTRUDERS. R. Vol. 1 at 26. As a result of the agency relationships established, if Security Police was negligent for not checking the door through which the rapist may have gained entry, Security Police itself is susceptible to liability, which in turn may be imputed to Security Investments and to Moore. An agent is liable for its own negligence. McAlvain v. General Ins. Corp. of America, 97 Idaho 777, 781, 554 P.2d 955, 959 (1976); Restatement (Second) of Agency § 343 (1958). A principal is liable for the torts of an agent committed within the scope of the agency relationship. Bailey v. Ness, 109 Idaho 495, 497, 708 P.2d 900, 902 (1985); Restatement (Second) of Agency § 251 (1958). Both principals and agents are liable for the torts of a subagent committed within the agency relationship. Restatement (Second) of Agency §§ 255, 362 (1958). Thus the negligence, if any, of the subagent, Security Police, renders it potentially liable to Sharp, and its liability may be imputed to the agent, Security Investments, and to the principal, Moore. All three summary judgments are reversed and the cause is remanded for further proceedings. Costs to appellant; no attorney fees on appeal. JOHNSON and BOYLE, JJ., and WALTERS, J. Pro Tem., concur.