Fixing Legal Problems Between Landlord and Tenant
If you are having a legal problem with your landlord, you might be wondering if you should take legal action. While it is always better to talk to your landlord first before you pursue legal action, there are instances when it is not appropriate. You may be in violation of a local building or housing code. If this occurs, you should contact the local government, which may be able to inspect the problem and fine the landlord. However, involving a government authority may sour the landlord-tenant relationship. In some cases, this might not be a big deal, but if you are renting your home for a long time, it may be important to take action.
Depending on the situation, you may be able to terminate the lease and get your security deposit back. However, before you decide to do this, you should always take legal advice from an attorney. Otherwise, you could find yourself liable for legal repercussions. Fortunately, you can resolve many legal problems between landlord and tenant by following the right steps. In some states, it is possible to get a court order for repairs. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that you are still required to pay the rent, so this process can be very time-consuming and costly.
If you find a problem in your rental property, you should give the Landlord a reasonable amount of time to fix the issue. In some states, this remedy may not be available in every state, and is limited to specific situations or only a certain number of times a year. If you do not get your landlord’s attention, you can also break the lease early or withhold rent until you’ve resolved the problem. You can also seek legal advice from a local attorney if you have a legal problem with your landlord or tenant.
If you’ve noticed a problem, you should contact your landlord as soon as possible. You should provide the landlord with as much notice as possible and let them know you need the repair within 14 days, though this may be shortened in an emergency. Then, if the landlord still does not make the necessary repairs, you can ask for a reduction in rent the following month to cover the cost of the repair. Remember to sign the letter and mail it certified mail.
If the problems continue, you can file a lawsuit against your landlord in court. In such cases, you must prove that your rental property isn’t up to your expectations. This way, the judge will award you the difference between what you paid and what you owe. However, this lawsuit is likely to end any good relationship between landlord and tenant. Therefore, you should be aware of this before filing any lawsuit. If you can, find an alternative way to fix the problem and avoid legal action altogether.
Alternatively, you can ask for a court order to have your lease terminated. This way, the Landlord will no longer be responsible for paying any future rents to you. In some cases, the Landlord may even be forced to pay you for the services that you did not receive. If you fail to make the repairs, the law allows you to force them to fix the problem. If you decide to proceed with a lawsuit, you should give the Landlord as much notice as possible. A good place to start your search for an experienced Chicago landlord and tenant attorney is the local lawyer directory.