No landlord wants to deal with a lawsuit. However, these instances do crop up, even for the most diligent landlords. Minor disputes can typically be handled between a landlord and their tenant, but there are moments when it’s best to have a lawyer to fight your case.
Evictions
When a tenant stops paying their rent, you’ll have to go through the eviction process. An eviction lawsuit typically takes less time than a normal civil case, but that’s also why landlords have to be more careful. The expedited treatment evictions receive mean that a judge will be less lenient towards mistakes. As such, it’s often best to hire a lawyer to make sure that every ‘I’ is dotted and every ‘T’ crossed.
Discrimination Lawsuits
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) prevents landlords from discriminating against potential tenants based on their race, sex, religion, and more. However, there is always the chance of a tenant filing a discrimination claim with HUD or a fair housing agency. If these agencies decide to take up the claim, a landlord will need a lawyer to defend them in their case. A lawyer can also help resolve a case before it goes to court.
Injury or Illness
Landlords are held responsible for the welfare of their tenants. If a tenant was injured or fell ill due to something on your property, they can sue you for a personal injury case. Thankfully, most liability insurance can provide you with a lawyer in these circumstances.
Property Damage
Tenants can also sue their landlords if a failure to maintain the rental property caused damage to a tenant’s personal property. For example, if a leak in the roof ruined a tenant’s furniture, they can sue you for the damages. If the claim is low, you can likely handle the situation yourself. However, if the claim is high, a lawyer might be needed. Similar to personal injury cases, a landlord’s liability insurance would kick in and provide you with an attorney.
At Aaron Cox Law, we can provide legal assistance for all of the above situations. To learn more, contact us today.