Getting wrongfully evicted from one’s apartment is a stressful experience. However, as a tenant, you should know that you have eviction and rent protections. Still, your landlord might evict you to increase the price, especially if you are a long-term resident. This aspect perfectly indicates the importance of knowing what steps to take when you are wrongfully evicted.
In other words, the only way you can hold your landlord responsible is by knowing your rights.
Read on to learn more.
Collect Evidence
You must document everything so that you can prove that you are being wrongfully forced out of your apartment. If you are dealing with poor living conditions or your landlord is harassing you, then you must document everything for the sake of detailed records. Take screenshots of digital communications and keep records of the notices and documents received.
Also, make sure to take pictures of the condition of the property at the time of leaving it.
Hire An Eviction Attorney
The next thing you must do is to hire an eviction attorney to seek legal advice, as the legal expert is in the best position to assess your situation carefully and to provide you with legal guidance about the next steps that you can take. The attorney will assess your situation according to local laws. On that note, in the case of a wrongful eviction, your eviction attorney will discuss your options and prepare to sue your landlord.
Comprehend Your Rights As A Tenant
We cannot stress enough the importance of knowing the rights of a tenant. Getting familiarized with your tenant rights and the eviction laws in your locality. You can also meet with potential counselors or join the tenant’s union to learn more about your rights. By having this knowledge, you can discuss the situation with your landlord in a legal setting.
Hire A Litigation Lawyer to Remove Your Belongings
If your landlord has forced you out of the house, you should hire a litigation lawyer to represent you in court. If the landlord has confiscated your belongings, the litigation lawyer can help you pursue legal action against the landlord to help you recover your belongings and seek compensation. Rest assured; the lawyer can help you understand your rights and the obligations of the landlord so that you know what your potential legal options are.
Prepare for Temporary Housing
Since your landlord has evicted you from your apartment, you will need to arrange for temporary housing, too. You might want to look for local hostels or shelters. You can also temporarily stay with your friends or family. There are also other organizations out there that can help you with temporary housing.
While you are at it, you must stay atop potential deadlines as all legal actions have deadlines. So, don’t delay getting in touch with a lawyer so that you can make sure that you aren’t missing any opportunity for legal action. Also, document each of the steps that you take after the wrongful eviction so that you can seek compensation.