Get Legal Help With a Tenants' Rights Issue

Renters needing help with tenant rights issues should get professional legal assistance. Landlord-tenant law is a unique area of real estate law, and landlord-tenant attorneys can help preserve their housing rights. These attorneys can help tenants avoid homelessness or small claims court.

Finding Legal Help

The thought of finding an attorney to help is daunting to many people. Issues like finding and paying for an attorney are often scary. Income is no barrier to legal help with landlord-tenant issues and renter's rights. Additionally, there are several sources of cost-effective legal help.

These sources include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Legal aid organizations: Most states have at least one legal aid organization. These non-profit organizations offer free or low-cost legal assistance on housing issues. This includes the following: 
  • Help with eviction notices, including evictions from mobile homes 
  • Help to prevent foreclosures 
  • Help to resolve landlord-tenant issues
• Local bar associations: Bar associations often maintain lists of attorneys or law firms that offer pro bono (free) legal services.
• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): HUD maintains a list of housing counseling agencies that help homeowners and tenants.

Know Your Rights

Understanding your rights as a tenant is critical to a successful tenancy. For example, tenants have a fundamental right to a habitable home, or a home suited for human life. Local laws or housing codes often determine what constitutes a livable home, including the following:

• A home free from pest or rodent infestation
• A home with working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• A home with running water and hot water
• A home with working plumbing and electrical systems

How a Landlord-Tenant Attorney Can Help

A landlord-tenant attorney can give you an honest opinion of your case and, often, free legal advice as part of your free consultation. These attorneys understand the protections offered by landlord-tenant law and will help ensure your landlord respects your legal rights.

Tenants who enter into lease agreements face potential legal issues and disputes. A landlord-tenant attorney can help tenants with the following:

• Reviewing the terms of a lease or rental agreement
• Avoiding evictions
• Avoiding an unlawful detainer action
• Assessing and reporting housing discrimination in violation of Fair Housing laws
• Getting your security deposit back

Get Legal Help

While landlords often hold the upper hand in the landlord-tenant relationship, renters have legal rights. If you have questions about your rights as a tenant, you should speak to a qualified local landlord-tenant attorney. Do not allow the cost of legal services to deter you from seeking legal advice. Speak to an experienced landlord-tenant attorney today.