Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Try to settle any disputes with your landlord through negotiation or mediation before considering legal action.
Step2
Consult local housing authorities or an attorney about civil rights, fair housing laws and tenant rights in your state if attempts to resolve disputes through negotiation or mediation are unsuccessful.
Step3
Locate an attorney who is familiar with landlord-tenant laws in your state; contact local housing authorities or consult phone directory listings, Internet listings, friends or family members.
Step4
Collect evidence to support your case, such as rental agreements, correspondence, rent and security deposit receipts, photos and other pertinent documents.
Step5
Meet with your selected attorney to review your grounds for a lawsuit.
Step6
Inquire about legal fees and court costs during the appointment with your attorney.
Step7
Retain an attorney to pursue legal action against your landlord.
Comments
steph3997 said
on 9/11/2007 I am having problems getting my deposit back from my landlord. I have only delt with the manager of the apartments and she told me everything was in order so I should get my money back but I haven't received anything. Now I found out that the manager of the company is moving out of the apartments and is living somewhere else. I don't have any information on the landlord except for her name and the managers name. Is there a website or someone I can contact to get the landlords information? Please e-mail me back. steph3997@yahoo.com
Stephanie
InLovingMemory7 said
on 8/2/2007 Hi, my name is Alex. I'm 18, and live in an apartment in PA. My downstairs neighbor has terrible mold problems, and is being forced to move because of them. This is NOT the first we've heard about this mold, and the landlord had clear understanding and knowledge of this mold. The mold is an obvious health risk, and 2 inspectors came by the apartment today and were shocked at how bad the situation was. My question is this; since the landlord knew about this danger and did nothing to fix it, risking their lives (the woman has 3 children, including a baby...), is this grounds to sue the landlord? It certainly seems like it would be... Please e-mail me your responses at InLovingMemory7@yahoo.com
cburch65 said
on 1/18/2007 It is about time that we "tenants" stand up for our rights and literally haul these slumlord/landlords into court. Unless we act on every breach of our leases, violations on the buildings and just plain ole ignorance of these land owners, we will always be wrong and will eventually be evicted. Now they are using these judgements against us so that we can't live in the nice complexes because of a mishap with an ex-landlord. There are some shady tenants out there and there are some tenants out there who actually try to do their best in paying their rent, but misfortune becomes upon them. This should not be held against us. We need to start an organization, just like everyone else who gets fed up with their situations going unresolved. It is time to fight back.
Catherine