Is Your Landlord Abusing Your Rights? Take Action

If you believe your landlord is in violation of the law, read on to learn more. 

So, you found the perfect apartment, for the perfect price, located in the perfect area. There's just one problem: your difficult landlord. Have you experienced ignored calls, evasion of privacy, and the shutting off of utilities? If so, what should you do, and how do you know the difference between a difficult landlord and an abusive one? The number one thing to remember is to never settle. Don't let your landlord drive you to leave. Instead, determine the severity of your situation, and take action. Read on to learn about your options: 

Is it Harassment?

Harassment occurs when the landlord intentionally makes the tenant uncomfortable and can manifest in many ways. For example, by: 

• Threats 
• Refusal of payments
• Refusal to send the tenant a receipt for rent/lease payments
• Refusal of repairs
• Lying to tenant
• Purposefully disturbing the peace 

These are just a few examples. If your landlord exhibits different behaviors, but you are still unsure if such behaviors classify as abuse, seek counsel from a trusted legal advisor. 

Take Action

Before taking action, ensure that you are not violating your lease agreement; this will protect you in the event that you need legal help. If you are in violation of the lease, evaluate whether your landlord's response is appropriate. If not, the best solution is to have a calm conversation. However, that's not always possible: it takes two to come to an agreement, after all. 

If you cannot resolve issues with your landlord alone, talk o the property manager or the owner. If unsuccessful, the third step is to let lawyers settle it. If the dispute is escalated in this manner, have notes ready that detail recent disagreements. 

Badnell & Dick of Ohio will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. It is better to seek an experienced attorney to help you navigate our tricky legal system than to endure legal hardship alone. Seek assistance today to settle your claim the right way. Visit our website to learn more!