Building owner liability

Building owner liability is a form of strict or causal liability for damage resulting from defective construction or inadequate maintenance of a building or other work. In Swiss law, the liable person is generally the owner, because they control the condition and risks of the structure. A defect may involve design, construction, upkeep, safety installations or foreseeable use. The owner may have recourse against architects, contractors, tenants or managers if their conduct contributed, but this does not necessarily defeat the injured person’s claim.