what lawyer for housing issues

by Audra Frami 8 min read

If you believe that your housing rights are being violated, then you may want to consider contacting a local landlord tenant attorney for further legal assistance; preferably, one who has experience with affordable housing issues.

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What does a housing attorney do?

Aug 14, 2018 · It often refers to buildings that house multiple families, such as apartment complexes or other locations. Housing attorneys represent clients in matters related to residential property, especially those involving leases and rental agreements. With regards to housing, the property owner must follow various laws, safety codes, and procedures for dealing with …

Do I need a property lawyer for a housing lawsuit?

One option is to hire a lawyer to sue the landlord in court. Another option is to file a fair housing complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), or a state or local agency in HUD's Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP). HUD and state and local agencies in FHAP receive over 10,000 discrimination complaints a year.

What is a housing provider that discriminates against someone?

A Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Can Help. Whether you are a renter who is leasing a house or apartment or a landlord who rents out real estate, there are a variety of reasons that you may need legal advice. A landlord/tenant attorney in Connecticut can help you analyze your situation, determine what your rights are, and make a well-informed decision about how to protect your …

How can a landlord/tenant attorney help me?

If you believe that your housing rights are being violated, then you may want to consider contacting a local landlord tenant attorney for further legal assistance; preferably, one who has experience with affordable housing issues. An affordable housing attorney will be able to determine whether your landlord and/or management company is in compliance with all …

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What issues do lawyers deal with?

Here are some ideas on how to select the type of lawyer you need for the most common legal issues.Civil Litigation. ... Criminal Law. ... Personal Injury. ... Medical Malpractice. ... Workers' Compensation. ... Family Law. ... Immigration. ... Estate Planning.More items...•Dec 22, 2020

What are my rights as a renter in Florida?

As a tenant, you must pay the rent and security deposit and follow all other legal requirements in the lease agreement. Tenants must also: Keep their part of the premises clean and sanitary. Remove all garbage in a sanitary manner.

How do I report a 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.Apr 8, 2022

What can I sue my landlord for in Florida?

You can sue your landlord when:Your landlord discriminates against you.Your landlord takes your security deposit illegally.Your rental unit is inhabitable.The property owner interferes with your right to quiet enjoyment.Your landlord fails to make the necessary repairs.More items...•Apr 20, 2020

What a landlord Cannot do Florida?

According to the Fair Housing Act, Florida landlords cannot ask potential renters questions about medical history, age, any disability, familial status, ancestry, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, color or race. Tenants cannot be discriminated against due to any of these reasons.Jan 26, 2020

How do I file a complaint against a landlord in Florida?

Like most states, Florida offers renters a number of ways to file a complaint including:Filing a complaint with The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Filing a lawsuit in court.Lodging a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)Filing a complaint with the city's relevant department.Dec 29, 2018

How do I sue my landlord in Texas?

What Court Do I File In? If your claim is for $10,000 or less against your Landlord then you file your lawsuit in Justice Court in the county where you live in the rented property. If your claim is more than $10,000 then you file in a County or District Court.

What a landlord Cannot do in Texas?

This means your landlord cannot evict you without proper cause (most commonly nonpayment of rent) or otherwise disturb your right to live in peace and quiet. Your landlord must also protect you from any wrongful actions taken by other tenants. The right to health and safety in your home.Aug 21, 2015

Can a landlord raise rent during Covid 19 in Texas?

Your landlord cannot issue you a rent increase notice during the public health emergency, even if the rent increase would take place after the end of the emergency.Aug 25, 2021

Can I sue my landlord for emotional distress in Florida?

Similarly, a person may act with intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED). This means they intended to cause harm instead of simply acting with negligence. Even without a physical infliction, you may still be able to sue for psychological trauma in Florida if you were in the zone of danger.Nov 29, 2020

Can you sue a landlord for emotional distress?

If a landlord causes you severe emotional distress that does not result in physical harm, you can recover for this purely emotional injury if your landlord's actions were reckless or intentional. The money damages may be doubled or tripled if you also claim that the action was an unfair or deceptive practice.

Can I sue my landlord for pain and suffering?

You cannot sue your landlord for pain and suffering if their negligence did not lead directly to injury. Common premises liability cases where you can sue for pain and suffering can include: Slipping and falling on poorly maintained stairs or grounds.Jul 23, 2018

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...

What is housing law?

The term "housing" refers to arrangements regarding one’s living and residential status. It often refers to buildings that house multiple families, such as apartment complexes or other locations. Housing attorneys represent clients in matters related to residential property, especially those involving leases and rental agreements.

What are the issues that arise in housing disputes?

Most housing disputes revolve around major issues such as housing discrimination and equal opportunity housing. These may often require the assistance of an attorney, especially if federal or state violations are in question.

Who is Jose from LegalMatch?

Jose (Jay) is a Senior Staff writer and team Editor for LegalMatch. He has been with LegalMatch since March of 2010. He contributes to the law library section of the company website by writing on a wide range of legal topics.

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 are HUD tenants' rights?

Various other rights: HUD tenants also enjoy the right to organize and participate in protected tenant activities without fear of retaliation from management or their landlord. For instance, a HUD tenant may post materials in a common area to inform other residents of their housing rights.

What is HUD housing?

It does this through several of its HUD government housing programs, including: Public housing: HUD created a federal law known as the “HOME Investment Partnership Act.”. The Act provides block grants in order to fund affordable housing for low income residents.

What happens if the FHEO finds the HUD at fault?

If they do not, or if the FHEO does find the HUD is at fault, then the government may bring a case against the HUD. Although the above information is a general overview of what happens when a person files a complaint, the procedure will change based on the type of complaint and the circumstances of the individual matter.

How does HUD work?

HUD apartments: There are several other ways that HUD funds affordable housing. One such method is through HUD apartments, or low rent housing. The way this works is that the government will give apartment owners money in exchange for having them lower rents.

What happens after the FHEO investigates?

After the FHEO completes its investigation, it will send the individual a report of its findings.

What is Section 8 housing?

Another low income program that HUD offers is Section 8 housing. Section 8 is essentially a voucher system. The government will supply a person who qualifies with a voucher to pay for a large portion of their rent. The remaining rent is then covered by HUD or the government sends money to a local housing agency who will use it to pay the landlord.

What is HUD financial assistance?

Other means of financial assistance: There are a number of financial assistance programs or resources offered under HUD, such as loans, mortgages, grants, and assistance for homelessness. HUD also provides fair housing education materials to protect the general public. Lastly, some financial assistance programs may be offered directly ...

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