Buying a Home: Why Legal Help Matters

While it's great if you can have a landlord that you can easily get along with, this often isn't the case. Sometimes, issues can arise that seriously threaten your ability to comfortably live in the rental property (or even your ability to stay there at all). When this happens, it's a good idea to contact a lawyer to see what your options are. In any of the following situations, you should definitely consider hiring an experienced lawyer like Saba Richard D. Attorney.

The Landlord Is Trying to Evict You

If you're going to fight a eviction notice given to you by your landlord, having a lawyer on your side can make all the difference between winning and losing. It's important to select a lawyer who is experienced with landlord-tenant law and has handled eviction cases before. This lawyer will help you develop strategies for fighting the landlord's eviction action that might not occur to you. For instance, your lawyer might start by suggesting that the eviction notice was retaliatory (meaning it might of been done because you complained about a problem with the property). Retaliatory evictions are illegal.

The Landlord Is Attempting Eviction without Going through the Courts

All landlords must follow the correct eviction procedures laid out by local and state law. If your landlord tries to circumvent this by just locking you out, turning off your utilities or removing the windows and doors, it's probably time to call a lawyer. These kinds of methods are illegal. Regardless of what reason the landlord may have for evicting you, the landlord cannot take these kinds of actions when trying to do it.

The Landlord Refuses to Make Necessary Repairs

Your landlord is obligated (both under the terms of your lease and under the law) to keep your rental property in good and safe working order. For instance, if your landlord refuses to repair your heating system even though winter temperatures have arrived or won't fix a broken window, you can hire a lawyer and take him to court to compel him to do so. On the other hand, your state may permit the remedy of paying someone to fix these things and deducting that amount from your rent. In these instances, a lawyer can help you do this correctly so that you don't get stuck with the bill and the full amount of the rent.

You've Been Made Ill or Injured on the Property

Even on a well-maintained rental property, accidents inevitably happen. But if you have an accident that results from your landlord's negligence, then you may be able to contact a lawyer and file a lawsuit against your landlord. Consider the following scenario. A closet door has been hanging loose for some time and you notified the landlord about it. If this door comes off it's hinges and injures you, your landlord is liable for the injuries you incurred. In the same way, if unaddressed leaks in your roof have created a mold situation that makes you and your family sick, a lawyer can help you with this as well.