Insight from the Law office of Joseph Marino, PC

Whether you're the tenant or landlord, a dispute with the other party can cause stress and financial problems. If you’re in the middle of one, read on to get some tips on resolving the issue!

In most cases, a dispute between a landlord and tenant comes from money or a value proposition. For instance, as a tenant, you expect that since you have paid your rent, your landlord ought to do some everyday maintenance to make living easy. When the landlord turns a blind eye to these repairs, it becomes unbearable for the tenant. That is when a back-and-forth argument starts, and in the end, it may lead to a case of tenant eviction or taking the landlord to court. 

Evicting a tenant or bringing in a court case brings more trouble; instead, you can settle the case out of court. If you want to settle a landlord-tenant dispute, you can follow these steps;

Determine What You Want

Most tenants mistake not knowing exactly what they need before attacking their landlords. When a landlord notices that there is no specific need, it’s reasonable that they don’t make repairs or changes. Before you think of any action with your landlord, determine what you need, and ensure that your request is a reasonable one. 

       Know Your Contract Stands

Before renting any property, there must have been some necessary agreements. These agreements come in handy when you need to settle disputes. You may need to revisit the leasing contract to understand many things. From an overview of the contract, you can confirm if the request is reasonable or not. 

            Write a Letter Indicating Your Need

Sometimes, all a landlord needs is a clear understanding of what their tenants need. For documentation purposes, you should submit these requests in writing. Also, ensure the letter clearly states your needs in alignment with the contract agreement. 

Meet With the Other Party

If the situation persists, the next thing is to have a formal meeting with the other party in the dispute.

Come prepared with a copy of the leasing contract, and no matter how upset you might be, leave the hostility behind. Try to observe and listen attentively to the reactions and words of the other party; after listening without interruption, offer a solution.

The two of you can do your best to come to a compromise.

            Agree and Sign

Although it's a verbal meeting, do not let any agreement be in spoken word alone! Make sure the full agreement is written, signed, and documented by both parties. 

            Conclusion 

If you follow the steps above, settling a landlord-tenant dispute wouldn't be a huge problem. But some landlords and tenants can be tricky with the law and agreements. In this case, you will need an experienced hand to help settle such disputes. 

At The Law Offices of Joseph Marino, we can help you settle any dispute between you and your tenant or landlord. Our attorneys have decades of experience offering real estate services and understand how important it is to keep such problems out of court.

We’d love to help you smooth things out and come up with a mutually-agreeable solution.

Just give us a call! 631-502-5650