i have problems with my landlord what lawyer should i contact

What to do if you have a problem with your landlord?

Most landlords and tenants are respectful and appropriate, but sometimes common landlord/tenant issues arise that demand a fair resolution. There are several methods you can utilize to resolve problems with your landlord. Renters feel comfortable approaching landlords to seek help whenever an issue arises in the rental.

Should I hire a lawyer for a landlord-tenant dispute?

In the alternative, you could consult with a lawyer for an hour or two to get advice on how to proceed and what arguments to make to get reimbursed. If you are in need of a lawyer, choose one with expertise in landlord-tenant matters.

When to look for a landlord tenant lawyer?

Injury or Health Issue: You have been injured at the rental property or a safety issue, such as mold, has affected your health. There are several resources you can consider to find a landlord tenant lawyer. These include:

Do I need a lawyer for a rental property lawsuit?

Even limited legal help can make a difference, and it might be all you need to steer your way toward a favorable outcome. Check for an attorneys' fees clause in your rental agreement. Many landlords include an "attorneys' fees" clause in their lease or rental agreement to prevent frivolous lawsuits.

Where do I report my landlord in Texas?

You can submit a complaint online, or you can call their office at (512) 463-2642 or toll-free (Texas only) at (888) 452-4778.

Where do I file a complaint against a landlord in California?

The State of California Department of Consumer Affairs can help with questions or complaints regarding landlord/tenant relationships, including repair issues, safety violations, and Health and Safety Code violations. For further information, call (800) 952-5210, or visit the website at www.dca.ca.gov.

How do I report a landlord for negligence?

How to Go About Reporting Bad Landlords and Negligence?Send a Notice: In almost any case, you must send a written notice to the landlord or property manager describing the issue. ... File a Complaint: If the landlord has failed to respond or take any action to current the issues, proceed with filing your complaint.

What are my rights as a renter in California?

The right to withhold rent or “repair and deduct” when a landlord doesn't make repairs. Protection under California termination and eviction rules. The right to privacy. Written notice if your landlord is to enter your property for non-emergency matters.

How to find a lawyer for a landlord?

There are several resources you can consider to find a landlord tenant lawyer. These include: 1 Bar Associations: Your state or county’s bar association may provide referrals for lawyers. For example, the New York City Bar provides legal services for a number of issues, including landlord tenant conflicts. 2 Referrals: Ask around. Other tenants in your building may have experience with landlord-tenant lawyers. 3 Tenant Unions: Contact your local tenants’ union. They may be able to provide you with a list of lawyers that work with tenants in your area. 4 Online: There are several online sites where you can search for legal counsel. These include FindLaw.com, Lawyers.com, and AVVO.com. You can usually search by zip code and the topic you are seeking counsel for. Take any online reviews with a grain of salt, however, because they can easily be made-up. 5 Courthouse: Lawyers go to court. You can physically go to your local landlord-tenant court to find lawyers who practice in your area.

What are the safety issues at a rental property?

Safety or Habitability Issues at the Rental Property: There are serious health or safety violations at the rental property, and your landlord has refused to fix them. Wrongful Eviction: Your landlord is making false claims to try and force you out of the rental property.

What is landlord harassment?

Landlord Harassment: The landlord has been harassing you or members of your household. Injury or Health Issue: You have been injured at the rental property or a safety issue, such as mold, has affected your health.

Why do landlords refuse to return security deposit?

There are a number of reasons you may want to take your landlord to court. These include: Landlord Is Wrongfully Withholding Your Security Deposit : Your landlord refuses to return your security deposit, and you believe you have the right to this deposit. Safety or Habitability Issues at the Rental Property: There are serious health ...

How often do lawyers give free consultations?

In certain areas, lawyers will offer free consultations once a week or once a month in a community center or other public area. ...

Does New York City have free lawyers?

New York City also passed a law which provides free lawyers to tenants in the city who are facing eviction. The one catch is that to qualify for the free lawyer, the tenant must certain income qualifications.

What to do if landlord discriminates against you?

If you believe your landlord is discriminating against you, you may need a lawyer to stop the illegal actions and help you recover damages for any harm you suffered. One option is to hire a lawyer to sue the landlord in court.

What happens if a landlord doesn't maintain the property?

Sometimes, a landlord's failure to maintain the rental property causes damage to your personal property. For example, a landlord's faulty wiring repair job could spark an electrical fire in your living room, damaging your furniture and other belongings.

What happens if your landlord doesn't fulfill your lease?

If your landlord isn't fulfilling important obligations under your lease and the law, it can lead to major problems. For example, think of the landlord who keeps putting off needed heating system repairs until winter is well under way, or the landlord who ignores a ground-floor tenant's requests to fix a broken window until a burglary occurs.

What is tenant rights?

The more you know the law and your legal rights, the better. The Tenant Rights section of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website provides a wide variety of state and local resources, including links to fair housing groups, rent control boards, tenant unions, and legal aid organizations for each state ;

What to do if landlord refuses to honor promise?

If the landlord later refuses to honor the promise, you might need to hire a lawyer to write a stern letter to your landlord, with a reminder that landlords can be held liable for some criminal activities at their rentals, and threatening a lawsuit unless the landlord follows through.

What to do if landlord serves termination notice?

If your landlord serves you with a termination notice that you intend to fight, hiring a lawyer can increase your chance of success. Choose a local lawyer that is knowledgeable about landlord-tenant law and has significant experience fighting evictions.

Why do landlords have attorneys fees?

Many landlords include an "attorneys' fees" clause in their lease or rental agreement to prevent frivolous lawsuits. If your lease or rental agreement includes this clause, you might be entitled to get reimbursed for your reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs if you win a lawsuit against your landlord.

What to do if landlord doesn't fix problem?

If your landlord still doesn’t sort out your problem after you’ve tried all the steps or if the council can’t help, you might be able to take court action. Taking court action is expensive, make sure it’s the right option for you. You might take court action, for example if:

How to get your landlord to help you?

Speak to your landlord. You can often get your problem solved quickly by speaking to your landlord first. Explain what you’re unhappy about and ask them to sort out the problem. Take someone with you for support when you speak to your landlord if you feel it will help you.

What happens if a landlord breaks the law?

Your landlord can be given a warning or fine if they’ve broken the law by acting dishonestly or unfairly. Acting dishonestly or unfairly could mean not telling you the property has damp or about their charges for example. Close. Complain by writing a letter.

What to do if you complain about repairs not being done?

Your council should contact you and your landlord to discuss the problem and explain the law if you complain about repairs not being done. They can inspect your home and order your landlord to do the repairs.

What to do if you complain about being harassed?

If you complain about being harassed or illegally evicted. Your local council can investigate if you complain about harassment or illegal eviction. They can tell your landlord to stop harassing you. They also have the power to tell them to stop the illegal eviction. If your landlord ignores their advice they can be taken to court.

What should I include in my letter to my landlord?

You should include in your letter: what you’re complaining about. what you want them to do about the problem. dates and times the problem took place. details of any conversations with your landlord and what they agreed to do. copies of any letters or emails between you and your landlord.

Can my landlord return my deposit?

your landlord won’t return your deposit. you’re being harassed by your landlord. Get advice from your nearest Citizens Advice before taking court action. An adviser can help you look at all your options for dealing with your problem. They can also tell you if you might be able to get help with legal costs.

What to do if you have a complaint against a mortgage company?

If you have a complaint against a mortgage company, try to resolve it with the company first. Several government agencies accept complaints about mortgage lenders. In some cases, you should file your complaint with more than one agency, especially at the federal and state level.

What happens if you pay rent?

As a tenant, if you pay to rent a home or an apartment, you may at some point have a dispute with the landlord or management company. Often disputes are about the conditions of the building, essential services, rent increases, or your right to stay. It’s best to come to an agreement directly with the landlord or manager.

What happens if a lender denies a mortgage application?

File a complaint with the CFPB if a lender has denied a mortgage application because of your: The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enforces the Fair Housing Act. This law prohibits discrimination when you rent, buy, or secure financing for a home. Your state may also have a similar law.

Is discrimination against housing prohibited?

It could also be a lending institution like a bank or other organization that is an important part of acquiring a home. Housing discrimination is prohibited by the Fair Housing Act. Discrimination covered by the Act can take many different forms beyond just raising prices or lying about availability.

What to do if landlord dispute is not resolved?

If you do not have a good relationship with your landlord, or negotiating directly does not succeed, you can work with a neutral third party called a mediator . They cannot impose a decision on the parties, in contrast to arbitrators, but their input often helps the two sides reach an agreeable resolution. The city where you live may provide a community mediation program or even a mediation program dedicated to landlord-tenant disputes at minimal or no cost.

What does a mediator do in a landlord dispute?

The mediator probably will ask the landlord and you to sit down together and lay out all of the issues in the dispute. If needed, the mediator can go back and forth between the parties in separate rooms, transmitting offers and counteroffers.

Can you use small claims court to get a landlord?

You may be able to use small claims court to get a landlord to conduct repairs, to protect your right to privacy, or to get your security deposit back, among other things. As long as you have evidence ...

Can a landlord dispute a tenant without a lawyer?

Resolving Landlord Problems Without a Lawyer. Many disputes can arise between ten ants and landlords, based on issues such as rent, the condition of the apartment, or compliance with the lease. If the situation has high stakes, such as a possible eviction, you can look for a lawyer to help you. Otherwise, you may want to use a less confrontational ...

Can you sue for more than the small claims limit?

If your losses are slightly more than the limit, you can bring a case in regular court , but you may want to think about whether it would be easier and less costly to sue for the small claims maximum and forgo the remainder. The procedures and rules are much simpler than in regular court.