Landlord is Liable for Defective Work of Contractor

In Suarez v. Gonzalez, 820 So.2d 342 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002), the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal, held that a landlord was vicariously liable to an injured tenant for the defective work of an independent contractor.  The Landlord did not know the name of the contractor nor could the Landlord find the contractor who was hired off the street.  The Court found that the Landlord had a duty to exercise reasonable care in hiring competent contractors.