No, in a society that still had true character, a landlord would not need to worry about being sued for something that wasn't his fault - the injured party would not blame someone for something they had nothing to do with...that's character. And if something did happen that was his fault, he'd be happy to rectify it in any way he could - he would feel it was his responsibility....that's character.
I understand we're way past this, but people like you who nitpick every little thing and need every goddam thing in writing and want to do everything by the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law aren't helping.
I had some trees planted in my yard a couple months ago. Two of the trees were put in the wrong spot - I needed them both moved by about 6 feet. I called the tree guy up and he was very apologetic and promised to take care of it for me...wasn't even completely his fault, just a misunderstanding between us. BUT, it was the end of the month, and he wanted to get paid for the job - I hadn't paid him anything yet. He's a small business and those trees were off his inventory and he needed payment. It had rained though, and it was too wet for him to do it that day or the next. I said no problem man, I'll pay you. He insisted on writing up a big agreement promising to come back and move the trees, that he would sign and give to me in exchange for payment. I told him it wasn't necessary, I trusted him to come back and move the trees. I paid him in full and said if you bring over any paperwork, I'm shredding it, I trust you. Just move the trees when it drys out, I don't want your paperwork.
I could tell he was a man of character and would get it done. See, to me, when I do business like that, he's actually more likely to follow through on his promise than if it was in writing. When things are in writing, people look for ways around the technicalities of what things say, and actually use it as an excuse to act as a cu nt. "Well, that agreement didn't specifically specify that...blah blah blah." When someone's character is on the line though - if indeed they do have any to speak of - that's everything to them. A man of character will always live up to his end of whatever bargain he made.
^
Again, I understand my ranting isn't very practical and people need to protect themselves. I put myself at risk of getting burned when I do things like the above, but it's worth it to me...it's my little way of saying let's all just do what's right and stand behind our actions, as members of what is supposed to be a society.
OK, I hope you feel better for getting that off your chest.
There always have been and still are plenty of people with character. And there always have been and still are people without character.
You trusted this guy because you met him and felt good about him. And possibly because you are just a trusting guy. Finally, you trusted him in no small part because the
consequences of him taking you for a ride were that you would not get trees moved a few feet. Way to stick your neck out on a limb there buddy.
But you are probably not stupid either. And if you had not felt good about the guy, you probably would not have paid him before he did the work regardless of what he signed.
And if the guy asked you to loan him every cent you had to your name, and
promised to give it back to you in a week, you would not have given it to him, even though you trusted his character. Why? Because you are not an idiot, and that is an excessive risk to take, even if you trust a person's character.
Most people have character, and I don't need a lecture from you on it. I own a logistics company that does about 600K an year in new sales to businesses I never in my life worked with, or even met a person face to face. I extend every one of them credit without doing any kind of check or even asking them to fill out a credit application. I am hardly ever taken for a ride. And when i am, i just don't bill those people any more.
I operate that way because I hate paperwork myself, I believe most people are honest, and the risk of getting taken for a couple thousand bucks by a business is not excessive.
But if I were going to bet my entire livelihood, the future of my family, my retirement, my kids educations, everything, on one company, you bet your life I would cover my ass. I would be an idiot not to. And I would deal ruthlessly with anyone that put my whole livelihood at risk.