Chances are, if your landlord or property management company is taking steps to evict you, they have either decided to make other arrangements for that space, or are unhappy with your tenancy for some reason. Obviously, this is not a surprise anyone wants foisted on them at the last minute, and if you want to attempt to stay in the residence, consult with an experienced real estate litigation law firm like that of Shane Coons.
If the arrangement with your landlord is handled on a month-to-month basis, then obviously it is within their rights to let you know that you have 30 days to vacate (laws regarding this may vary if you live in a rent-controlled area), whether they are unhappy with the way you have been paying rent—or for whatever reason. If you have a traditional year’s lease, however, there is probably a more serious reason for the landlord to be moving toward an early eviction—usually because of finances. This is the time to pore over any written lease that you may have, but it is possible that you are in default of the lease if you are even one day late. In that case, the landlord is required to serve you with a three-day notice which notes the amount in default and demands it be paid; otherwise, you must be prepared to move. Hopefully, paying up quickly will halt any problems—but if the landlord has decided they want you out, you may run into serious complication.
And although you may be slightly late on the rent, other violations often cause landlords to issue three-day notices, such as
- Damage to the residence, whether on the interior or exterior
- Prohibited pets on premises (you will probably have the option to remove the pet, or vacate)
- Suspected illegal activity, such as drug use
- Nuisance issues, ranging from debris and junk in the yard to noise levels—even to include dogs that bark a lot
If the landlord has asked you to leave within a certain amount of time and you have not done so, they can then move forth with an unlawful detainer proceeding. This is usually a quick process if the landlord wins the case, spanning 30 to 60 days. If you are in dispute with your landlord and believe you are being treated unfairly, you may want to pursue legal action.
If you have questions about a real-estate issue or are concerned about a dispute, contact the law office of Shane Coons. With experience in a wide range of legal areas to include commercial leases and purchases, residential purchases, property damage, unlawful detainer, liens, wrongful foreclosures, and more, we can review your case and then help you examine your options.
We are here to help! Call now at 949-333-0900 or email us at Shane.Coons@seclawoffices.com.