What duty does a landlord have with regard to latent defects? If the landlord makes a repair, what standard will apply?

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Latent defects are hidden problems that a tenant couldn’t discover through reasonable inspection. Because the tenant relies on the landlord’s knowledge about hidden issues, there is a duty to disclose defects that the landlord knows about. If the landlord fails to disclose these latent defects, the landlord can face liability for misrepresentation or breach of the implied covenant of habitability.

If the landlord chooses to repair a latent defect, the standard that applies is reasonable care in performing the repair. The landlord must use competent methods and materials to fix the defect; a negligent or inadequate repair can create liability for damages or ongoing harm.

So, the landlord has a duty to disclose latent defects. The repair standard, when a repair is made, is reasonable care. The other options don’t fit because they either describe a liability standard (negligence), impose strict liability, or deny any duty to disclose, which contradicts the established obligation.