Court Affirms Judgment for Tenant In Dispute Over Cause of Leaks

TRENTON, N.J. - A New Jersey appellate court has found sufficient evidence to support claims by a former apartment tenant that water leaks that led to mold contamination were long-standing and not the fault of the tenant. Keighley v. Staley, No. A-4827-06T3 (N.J. Super., App. Div.).

The Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, on April 21 affirmed a judgment of $6068.69 for Terrence Keighley, rejecting his landlord's contention that water seepage came from Keighley's air conditioner rather than roof leaks or other causes.

Keighley complained that he returned from a trip in August 2006 to find that mold had …