lawyer who deals with tenant issues

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How much does a landlord-tenant lawyer cost?

An attorney's fee will depend on the complexity of your case, where you live, and the attorney's billing practices. Some landlord-tenant lawyers charge by the hour, typically $200 to $500. Other lawyers charge a flat fee for a specific service. For example, the attorney might charge a flat $500 to start an eviction proceeding.

Can I Sue my Landlord?

You may be able to sue your landlord if you get injured on the property. This will be the case if the injury happened because the landlord was negligent. For example, if you slip and fall down the stairs because your landlord failed to fix a problem, you can take the case to court and collect damages. When Your Landlord Wrongfully Evicts You

What is a landlord tenant lawyer?

Landlord/Tenant law covers all aspects of renting a property. Lawyers can help landlords create an enforceable lease without any illegal provisions. Landlords will probably find landlord tenant attorneys and invaluable source of information regarding the laws for security deposits, repairs and maintenance, and eviction.

What are the rights of a landlord?

Whilst the risk of forfeiture is a very potent weapon to ensure the performance of the tenant’s covenants, landlords must be careful not to lose it. One of the biggest traps for landlords is accidental waiver of the right to forfeit the lease. In Segal Securities Ltd v. Thoseby [1963] 1 QB 887, Sachs J at 897 put it this way:

Your Landlord Is Evicting You

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 lawye...

Your Landlord Is Evicting You Without Proper Court Procedures

Landlords must follow eviction procedures set forth by state and local law. If your landlord tries to evict you by taking matters into his own hand...

Your 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...

Your Landlord Won't Make Necessary Repairs

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 land...

Your Landlord Isn't Fulfilling His Promises

Sometimes, landlords make promises to encourage hesitant applicants to rent from them. For example, if an applicant is concerned about the neighbor...

You've been Injured Or Made Ill

Accidents can happen, even at a well-run rental property. However, if an accident is the result of the landlord's carelessness, you may have a lega...

Your Property Has been Damaged

Sometimes, a landlord's failure to maintain the rental property causes damage to your personal property. For example, a landlord's faulty wiring re...

How to Get A Lawyer's Help

If you are in need of a lawyer, choose one with expertise in landlord-tenant matters. For help in getting a lawyer, read the article "How to Find a...

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 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 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.

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 is a tenant lawyer?

On the other hand, a landlord / tenant lawyer also helps landlords who have tenants breaking rules, such as moving out three months early or refusing to pay rent. Tenant eviction laws are very specific, with different rules in each city.

What can a landlord/tenant lawyer do?

A landlord/tenant lawyer can help you win an eviction lawsuit, steer clear of liability, and collect or return a security deposit. Whether you are a landlord drawing up a lease or a renter trying to get back your security deposit, an attorney can assist in cases of all types, especially those involving illegal discrimination, property damage, ...

Why hire a landlord attorney?

Because the apartment you rent is your own personal space, the law places many limits on landlords' activities. For example, if a landlord tries to make you move without giving you enough notice, ...

What does a tenant attorney do?

A tenant attorney will help resolve any dispute between you and your landlord by interpreting the lease agreement and either representing you in a lawsuit or advising you on your next steps. If your tenant attorney is only reviewing your lease, you can expect to feel comfortable that the agreement between you and your landlord is legally binding ...

Is Rocket Lawyer a lawyer?

This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. The law is complex and changes often. For legal advice, please ask a lawyer.

Do tenant attorneys charge by the hour?

Many tenant attorneys charge by the hour, but some also use flat rate services for simple matters such as lease reviews. Rates will vary depending on where you live and what you need your attorney for. Make sure to negotiate a rate before you decide to hire your attorney.

Can a landlord sue you for a security deposit?

Your landlord is suing you. Some security deposit disputes can be handled on your own in small claims court, but if you're confused about the process, you may want to consult with a tenant attorney to help guide you through the steps.

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 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.

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.

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.

How a Landlord-Tenant Attorney Can Help

If you are currently involved in a legal dispute with a tenant, or are concerned about your legal rights and obligations at any stage in the landlord-tenant relationship, you should speak with an attorney with experience in landlord-tenant law who will evaluate your case with you, to ensure that your legal rights are fully assessed and protected.

Finding a Landlord-Tenant Attorney

To find a lawyer to help with your tenants' rights issue, use the FindLaw Lawyer Directory to search for a landlord-tenant or real estate law firm or attorney near you. To get started, go to the "Find a Lawyer" box near the upper left corner of this page. You can also find a landlord-tenant attorney near you here.

Who can be involved in a property dispute?

Property disputes can involve just about anyone who has an interest in the real estate in question. For example, most property disputes involve the owner of the property in some way, but they can also involve: Neighbors; Landlords and Tenants; Homeowner Associations (HOAs);

What are the remedies for property disputes?

Remedies for property disputes often depend on the nature of the dispute and the state where the property is located. Potential remedies include injunctions, judicial sales, monetary damages, and quiet title actions.

How to resolve a dispute with a neighbor?

Sometimes, a dispute can be resolved by just talking to your neighbor and maintaining a good relationship with them. Politeness and respect can go a long way in resolving minor disputes. If it gets to the point where you feel a demand letter is necessary, you can certainly discuss that option with an attorney.

What are the responsibilities of a HOA?

Homeowner Association Responsibilities: Which may bring up questions of whether the HOA is responsible for maintenance and upkeep of some elements of the neighborhood. Utility Easements: Sometimes homeowners may not realize whether or where utility easements are located on their property.

What is a property dispute?

A property dispute is a legal dispute that involves real estate. While it may sound relatively simple, the term “property dispute” covers a wide range of possible disputes over a wide range of property. The property involved could be anything from a vacant lot to a home, deck, condominium, manufactured home, pond, driveway, ...

How to resolve boundary disputes?

Often, boundary disputes can be resolved at least in part by having a proper survey conducted on the property (especially if you’re planning on putting in a fence). Other property disputes may become more complicated, especially when you start running into issues questioning ownership.

What is eminent domain?

Often, property disputes that involve cities or municipalities can involve issues of eminent domain, where the government has the right to take and use property for public purposes.