When Should a Landlord Hire a Lawyer?
Becoming a landlord can seem like a laid back job. You hire people to fix issues with the property, you collect rent, and you deal with issues as they occur. It seems like the most daunting task for a landlord is to run a tenant background check to avoid bringing in troublesome tenants.
But legal issues can be much more daunting when it comes to property management. Although it may not be always necessary to hire a lawyer, in some cases, having advice from a lawyer can save you time and money. In certain cases, a landlord will definitely need to hire a good lawyer. Here are a few cases where it’ll be handy to keep one on speed dial.
Eviction
Evicting your tenant is rarely easy. There is a long set of rules that a landlord must abide by before starting the eviction process. And it’s in your best interests to retain the services of a lawyer before the eviction case even reaches the court.
Lawyers can ensure that every step of the eviction process is followed in accordance to the state and federal laws in place. Again, these laws are not simple, and if the tenant decides to get a lawyer and fight the eviction, you may lose your case. It only takes one judge to side with the tenant, and then the tenant can remain in your property.
To avoid this, veer on the safe side and retain a lawyer. If your tenant is engaging in illegal criminal acts, the retain the services of a Denver criminal attorney, because you can suffer legal consequences.
Lawsuits
Although lawsuits are not common, they do happen; especially personal injury cases where the landlord is found to be at fault. This can be caused by anything from a crack in concrete (where someone trips) to an appliance which harms a tenant because it was never repaired. These cases are usually paid out by your insurance company if you have liability insurance.
On the less dangerous side of things, lawsuits can occur when the tenant incurs damage to their property due to the fault of the landlord. For instance, if a leaky roof damages furniture, you may be liable to compensate your tenant for the damages.
Most of these cases can also be resolved with liability insurance, although there may be a deductible, and sometimes the coverage doesn’t amount to the damage. In these cases, the landlord can be sued personally and should definitely seek legal advice.
Audited
Taxes can make any person’s head spin. Sometimes unintentional mistakes occur on your taxes, and over time, they can amount to large sums of money. And tax law issues have been known to send even the most famous celebrities to jail. Protect yourself and your investment and hire a lawyer. If the lawyer cannot fix the mistake, they can definitely find a way to get you more time to pay your dues, especially experienced tax lawyers.
Lawyers are not always the cheapest solution, but they have the knowledge base that can save you time and money in the end. Having a lawyer on retainer isn’t necessary, but knowing when to hire one is the key. If you ever feel like you need the services of a lawyer, you can always have a consultation with one to discuss your options, or even discuss the penalties of certain decisions.
Some judges have been known to fine landlords over $16,000 per offence for mistakes made with their tenants. This is true for even first time offenders. So don’t let that happen to you.
