what type of lawyer do you need to sue an apartment complex

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What is the process to sue an apartment complex?

Process of Suing an Apartment Complex. Draft the Complaint: The formal complaint contains all facts of the case and must be filed in civil court or, if the amount is within the limit, small claims court. Service of Process: An official copy of the complaint must be delivered to the landlord or the apartment complex’s management office. A ...

Is it legal for an apartment complex to charge?

No, in most states this is not legal. However, many apartment management companies try it anyway, and are often successful in collecting these fees, because the law is written in their favor and they prey on the fact that most tenants are too poor to fight them.

Can I take my apartment complex to court?

You can file in small claims court in your county, on your own, pro se without a local attorney. Go to the clerk of the court and request the packet of forms to file. File them and then you must have the "resident agent" for the complex served with the papers. You can find the resident agent by using the Sectretary of State website and looking up the name of the corporation and finding out who it is. Once you do that, that is who you serve.

Is it legal for an apartment complex to require?

Renters insurance is not required by law, but it is legal for your landlord or management company to require that you and other tenants in your apartment building or house have renters insurance as terms of your lease agreement.

How do I file a complaint against an apartment complex 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.

What can I sue my landlord for in California?

Here are 10 common reasons to sue your landlord for negligence:Illegally Holding Your Security Deposit. ... Violated California Security Deposit Laws. ... Housing Discrimination. ... Illegal Clauses in Your Lease Agreement. ... Refuses to Reimburse You for Repair Costs. ... Allows Your Unit to Become Uninhabitable. ... Fails to Disclose Hazards.More items...•

Can I sue my landlord for emotional distress in Texas?

Texas does recognize intentional infliction of emotional distress claims, but those claims generally apply in cases such as nursing home abuse, assaults, or threats of violence. Negligent infliction of emotional distress arises from an accident or incident caused by negligence, errors, or mistakes.

How do I file a complaint against an apartment complex in Georgia?

How can we help?Call Us. Consumer Complaints: (404) 651-8600. Toll-free in Georgia: (800) 869-1123. Fax: (404) 651-9018. Other Issues: (404) 458-3800.Online Complaint Form.Visit.

Can I sue my landlord for emotional distress?

Can I sue my landlord for pain and suffering? As part of a personal injury claim, you could be compensated for any pain or suffering you were caused to experience as a result of your landlord's failings. This includes physical and psychiatric harm, as well as financial losses.

How do you prove landlord negligence?

One way to prove landlord negligence is by proving that:A law related to safety was broken by the landlord.The purpose of the said law was for the welfare and safety of the tenant.The injuries sustained were the kind the law intended to prevent.More items...

What counts as emotional distress?

Mental suffering as an emotional response to an experience that arises from the effect or memory of a particular event, occurrence, pattern of events or condition. Emotional distress can usually be discerned from its symptoms (ex. Anxiety, depression, loss of ability to perform tasks, or physical illness).

What can you sue for emotional distress?

It may be possible for you to sue for emotional distress, depending on your situation. The main factor that will mean you can make a claim is whether someone's negligence caused the harm you first suffered. This could be because you were hurt in an accident that was someone else's fault.

How do I sue my landlord for unsafe living conditions in Texas?

Tenants have up to a year to file a housing complaint against a landlord for unsafe or unlivable housing. They can do this online, through email, hand delivery or mail to the Civil Rights Division of the TWC, 1117 Trinity Street, Room 144-T, Austin, TX 78701. The agency's phone number is 888-452-4778 or 512-463-2642.

What are Georgia tenant rights?

Your landlord is responsible for repairs to keep the property in good condition. Georgia law says that a landlord cannot make a tenant make or pay for repairs, unless that tenant, his/her family or guests caused the damage. For serious repair problems, local housing code departments can inspect for possible violations.

Can I sue my landlord after I move out?

If you are suing because the landlord withheld your security deposit, then it makes sense to file the lawsuit after move out. If you are suing because the landlord refuses to perform repairs to make the unit habitable, then it makes sense to sue while you have an active lease.

What can I sue my landlord for in Georgia?

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...•

What happens if a landlord fails to settle a case?

If this fails, the matter proceeds to a stage called discovery, in which you and the landlord exchange the information and the evidence you both intend to present at trial.

Who accepts paperwork for apartment complex?

Although state rules vary, typically, if the apartment complex has a management company that oversees the operation of the rental units, those employed to run the business are qualified to accept the paperwork.

What are some examples of landlord violations?

Some of the most common landlord violations include: Failing to provide a safe and habitable apartment or complex. Breaking terms of the apartment lease. Entering the apartment without the required notice. Failing to return a security deposit. Unlawful eviction. Discrimination.

How much can you get in small claims court?

Small claims court limits range from $1,500 to $25,000, depending on the state. Small claims courts may be a little easier to navigate on your own if you choose not to hire an attorney.

What is a complaint called?

Drafting the Complaint. You must draft a complaint, sometimes called a petition. A complaint initiates the lawsuit and must be formatted in a way that conforms to local court rules. For example, list facts relevant to your claim and the law that you believe has been broken, in numbered paragraphs.

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 to do if tenant rights are violated?

Your first step, if you suspect your tenant rights are being violated, is to review your lease. Your rental agreement spells out important terms such as your rent, size of security deposit, lease termination date, and obligations as a tenant. This may help you determine whether you have a case or not.

What happens if you lose a countersuit against your landlord?

The worst consequence? Your landlord could file a lawsuit against you, and if you lose a countersuit, you could be responsible for damages that the landlord suffered.

What happens if you are evicted illegally?

If you believe your landlord is trying to evict you illegally, you can sue and try to remain in the property. Furthermore, “if you were wrongfully evicted and incurred moving fees or temporary housing costs because of it, a court can order your landlord to reimburse you for those costs,” Tamkin says.

What is a demand letter for landlord?

He recommends writing your landlord what’s called a “demand letter”—a request in writing that states what you want your landlord to do.

Who is responsible for home repairs?

Home repairs are typically the landlord’s responsibility, Tamkin says. So let’s say you paid for necessary repairs and your landlord agreed to reimburse you. If he reneges, you could sue to get the money. Just make sure you discussed springing for this expense before you pay for it.

Can attorney fees vary?

Attorney fees can vary significantly depending on the nature of your claim, Tamkin says. “You can have an easy case where the landlord decides to settle quickly and the legal fees are relatively modest, but if it’s prolonged litigation where the landlord fights the lawsuit, attorney fees can be very high.”.

Can a landlord barge in?

As a tenant, you’re entitled to “quiet enjoyment” of your home—meaning your landlord can’t barge in whenever. A landlord is legally allowed to enter a property to make repairs, says Tamkin, “but someone who repeatedly enters a property to see what the tenant is doing for no legal reason could be in violation.”.