3 Things to Consider When Hiring a Landlord Attorney
Hiring a landlord attorney is necessary when problems with tenants will not go away. Choosing the right landlord attorney is an important decision, and one that can make all of the difference in your case. Here are three things to consider when making such a choice.
Knowledge of Landlord-Tenant Law
Just as you wouldn’t hire a plumber to work on an electrical problem, you don’t want a landlord attorney who does not have expertise in landlord-tenant law. All lawyers are not the same, and you want one with a background in this area of law.
A great example of this is Massachusetts’s security deposit law. At first glance, the holding of a security deposit wouldn’t seem like a big deal. However, Massachusetts law heavily regulates the receipt, holding, and return of such a deposit, with steep penalties for those who do not comply with these provisions. A good landlord attorney knows the importance of this law and how to keep landlords out of trouble.
Trial Experience
A good landlord attorney should have trial experience. While many eviction cases end up getting resolved short of trial, trials can and do happen for landlord-tenant cases. You want to be prepared for this by having an attorney who knows how to litigate such a matter.
Keeping Costs Under Control
Legal services aren’t cheap. However, a good landlord attorney makes a real effort to keep his or her fees and costs as low as possible.
The best example of this is using mediation for an eviction matter. Even in the strongest eviction case, there are fees and expenses that are unavoidable if the matter goes to trial. Mediation, where each party compromises in an effort to get the case resolved, can go a long way towards keeping legal fees under control.
Conclusion
These are all important topics to keep in mind when selecting a landlord attorney. If you need assistance with a landlord-tenant matter, contact me for a consultation.