Landlord-Tenant Disputes

Landlord-tenant disputes involve disagreements over a residential or commercial rental relationship, such as unpaid rent, security deposit deductions, needed repairs and habitability, lease violations, and eviction. These matters are governed by a mix of state landlord-tenant statutes and local ordinances, including rent-control and just-cause rules in some cities, so rights and procedures vary significantly by location. Tenants generally have a right to a habitable home and protection from unlawful or retaliatory eviction, while landlords have rights to timely rent and to enforce lease terms. Eviction, sometimes called unlawful detainer, follows a specific legal process with required notices and court steps, and self-help lockouts or utility shutoffs are typically illegal. A lawyer can review the lease and notices, advise on obligations and defenses, help recover or defend a security deposit, address repair and habitability issues, and represent either side in an eviction case. First steps: keep a copy of the lease and all written communications, document conditions with dated photos, follow proper notice requirements, do not stop paying rent without legal advice, and consult a landlord-tenant lawyer familiar with your state and city, since local rules and deadlines are strict.