As a tenant, you’re entitled to certain protections your landlord cannot supersede–even (and especially) when you’re facing eviction. Nevertheless, your landlord might attempt to bully or frighten you into leaving your flat by threatening one with flooding when he’s no legal reason to eject you. If you believe your landlord is violating your rights, or you want more information about the eviction process, there are organizations locally that can help you when you’re facing eviction.
Tenant Unions
Many populous cities and surrounding regions have a company for tenants, known as tenant unions. These are nonpolitical groups of tenants that meet on a regular basis to educate others about their rights and responsibilities as tenants, and also a wonderful place to turn for aid. A tenant union can teach you more about your rights as a tenant, allow you to advocate for your rights and connect you with other resources in your town. Search on the internet for a union in your area or get in touch with your local municipal services group for more information.
Legal Help
Legal aid is a non – or no-cost public legal service available to lower income individuals who cannot afford to hire a private lawyer. Each state has a legal aid firm for residents. If you meet the income requirements, a legal aid lawyer can explain your rights, help you dispute the eviction as well as fight your landlord in court at no cost to you. To find legal aid services in your area, call your state bar association for contact information or search online for local listings.
State Attorney General
Your state attorney general is the highest authority in law enforcement. If you believe your landlord is breaking the law by evicting you along with your local police department is unwilling to get involved, your state attorney general might measure in. The office can also refer you to additional resources in your region for eviction help.
State Housing Authority
If you want more immediate support, a local housing authority might have the ability to offer help earlier than your state attorney general. Each state operates its own independent housing authority, which modulates and simplifies housing criteria for its occupants. While your state housing authority is not a legal company, it can explain the flooding process for you and help you find the assistance you want. Further, if a landlord is evicting you or breaking up your rights as a tenant, the housing authority has the ability to investigate and mention or fine your landlord, which could prompt your landlord to stop the flooding.
Landlord/Tenancy Attorney
A landlord/tenancy lawyer is a real estate attorney who specializes in tenancy offenses, disputes and evictions. If you can afford it, having an experienced lawyer on your side is perhaps the very best assistance you can find when facing eviction. If you plan to sue for compensation or damages, you can keep an attorney on a contingency basis, which means you won’t pay anything if you don’t win, along with your attorney will deduct her fees from your final award. Locate and interview some lawyers in your region who utilize landlord/tenancy issues, ask your friends and relatives for suggestions or contact your state bar association for a referral.