What A Landlord Lawyer Can Do For You

If you manage a rental property, you may find yourself in a dispute with a tenant that requires legal intervention. A landlord lawyer can act as your personal legal advocate and will be on your side as you work together to try to resolve the issue at hand. Often referred to as a landlord/tenant lawyer, this attorney can offer you guidance in the following areas.

Lease Agreement Preparation

A lease agreement is a legally binding contract between you and a tenant, and your attorney can help you prepare a lease agreement that's in accordance with the law. Your landlord lawyer will ensure that every clause that needs to be stated in the lease is included. The lease agreement will be reviewed carefully and possibly revised by your attorney so that the document meets the standards that were established by the Fair Housing Act.

Back Rent Collection

If a tenant has missed a rental payment or refused to pay rent for a more extended period, you have the right to take action to try to recover your financial losses. A tenant might still refuse to pay even after you've notified them of their payment delinquency and you've hired a collection agency to assist you, and you may need to hire a landlord attorney to help you proceed with filing a lawsuit against the tenant.

Evictions

Tenants are often forced to vacate their rentals by law if they've violated their leases, and a landlord lawyer can help you start the eviction process if the tenant hasn't corrected a violation. Your attorney will make sure that the moveout date is specified clearly on the eviction notice and can represent you in an eviction court hearing. Your attorney can also help you get the court orders that you'll need to enforce the eviction if the tenant isn't being cooperative.

Lawsuits for Property Damage

If you want to sue a tenant who caused damage to the rental property, your lawyer can let you know if you have grounds to file a lawsuit. You may have a reason to sue if the tenant's security deposit isn't enough to cover the cost of repairing the damage that they allegedly caused. Your landlord lawyer can also help you determine if the damage was likely caused by a tenant's reckless or vengeful actions or if the damage is probably the result of normal wear and tear, which could affect the outcome of the lawsuit. 

You don't have to deal with your legal challenges alone as a landlord. If you need help with resolving a tenant dispute or need a legal advisor to go over any important documents, a landlord attorney is ready to go to work for you. For more information, contact a landlord lawyer near you.