Think You Might Need a Housing Attorney to Prevent an Eviction? Here Are the Steps to Complete Before You Call a Lawyer
Written by WFP Intern, Jill
Picture this – you have been working and maintaining a lifestyle all of your adult life, but then as the saying goes, you make plans and the universe laughs. All of a sudden, you are robbing Peter to pay Paul, and the spiral continues. The next thing you know, the rent is late this month, and next month you may not have it. This path could lead to an eviction if one is not able to manage their financial income and outcome in a timely manner.
In this climate, many renters have been laid off or are underemployed, causing a wave of housing concerns for tenants and headaches for landlords who must file cases against some of their best tenants.
Preparing early helps your attorney with the best shot of advocating on your behalf.
If you believe you may be a candidate for eviction, don’t wait. Gather these documents before you call an attorney.
If you live in Hudson County and are struggling with rental concerns, here are the steps to take before contacting a housing lawyer:
- Gather housing documents including your lease, rental receipts, and landlord notices. Review your lease to provide clarity on your rental situation and terms.
- Gather employment information (i.e. termination letter, last paystubs, expenses and budget, unemployment confirmations, or denials).
- Contact your landlord in writing. (Inquire about a payment plan, keep all correspondence for future records).
- Apply for Emergency rental assistance. (Keep in mind, this may not come through until you have an actual eviction or warrant of removal).
Remember to keep all housing related document organized (rent receipts, lease, landlord documents, utility bills) for submission.
5. Have all proof of residence gathered (Driver’s license, court documents, state ID).
6. Be sure to keep a timeline of all events and correspondence between your landlord, housing assistance requests and requests for payment plans.
By keeping all these documents organized by the time you speak to an attorney, they can help present your case efficiently and advocate for you with ease for assistance or negotiate with your landlord.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via the intake form and we can assist you.