If you feel that your landlord has committed illegal acts or harassed you, violating your rights as a tenant, you can sue. However, this should be your last resort if all else fails; you should try to talk it out with them first. Once you sue, you can expect your relationship to worsen. It may be best to find a new apartment if you decide to sue, even winning your case.
Suing a landlord must be done with the help of an attorney who will assess the situation and tell you the best way to address it. You need to prepare yourself because it can be a lengthy and costly process. If you win your case, the amount you can get may not even be enough to cover your legal expenses.
If you want to win your case, make sure you have a valid reason to sue. Have strong evidence to back it up. It cannot be just because he or she annoys you. Some of these reasons are:
- Withholding your security deposit even if your lease is up and no deductions are to be made
- Discrimination
- Illegal terms or clauses present in your lease
- He’s not refunding you for repairs you paid for that were made on the unit.
- Breaching the Warranty of Habitability by neglecting your unit and refusing to do necessary repairs
- Failing to inform you of hazards present, such as lead paint, asbestos, and mold
- Illegally entering the apartment
- Injuries that occur in the rental property that are due to neglect
- Evicting illegally
- Violating the Right to Quiet Enjoyment
- Using a security deposit for reasons other than those mentioned in the terms of the lease and state laws
- Missing or damaged belongings due to neglect
- Non-reimbursement of your living expenses when you had to temporarily move out due to issues with the unit
- They are unresponsive and refuses to communicate, even about matters involving the rental property.
Most of these disputes are handled by a small claims court, as these cases only involve money. These courts allow you to sue for a maximum of $3,500 to $10,000, depending on the state. But if you plan to sue your landlord beyond that account, you must use a different court.
Maybe you believe they have been acting illegally and wish to get your landlord in trouble if they do some of these illegal actions. We hope this guide has helped you.
