Los Angeles Attorney on Steps to Take if You Have Failed to Pay Your Rent on Time
There are laws in the country that protect the rights of tenants who cannot pay rent on time. Landlords can terminate or evict tenants only for valid reasons. Before your tenancy gets terminated, you will get a notice from your landlord. You might get another chance to pay your rent at a specified date or you would have to move out if you don’t settle the payment. A Los Angeles litigation lawyer will help you with this kind of issue.
Failing to pay rent on time
The failure to pay rent on time is the most common reason why tenancies get terminated. In some states, when a tenant doesn’t pay rent, landlords must give a grace period before giving the tenant a quit or pay rent notice. Most of these notices will provide you with 3 to 5 days to settle the amount you owe to your landlord. Should you pay your rent and your landlord accepts it, the termination notice will get canceled. If you remit only part of the payment amount, your landlord usually can give you a new notice right after. There are also cases where tenants are repeatedly late when paying rents. For this, various states have varying requirements on the number of chances the landlord will give the tenants. Regardless of the rules, it’s always a good idea for landlords to keep records of when the tenant paid late and any notices or communications the landlord sent to the tenant. Landlords must also consider tenants who belong to the military who are usually subject to fewer stringent rules, especially in terms of how fast the eviction will occur.
Try to negotiate
As a tenant, communicating openly with your landlord about your predicament and requesting an extension might produce a good outcome. Landlords will listen, especially if you are a good tenant. Your landlord wouldn’t want to lose you so they may grant your request. Also, it’s also expensive and difficult for landlords to hire an LA attorney and file a case for eviction. Your landlord might even accept part of the payment now and the remaining payment at a later date.
Can your landlord kick you out?
As any lawyer from Los Angeles will tell you, one of your rights as a tenant is that your landlord cannot just evict you without a valid reason. They must follow the official process of eviction provided by your state. Using measures like throwing out your possessions or changing the locks, will hold them accountable and could be a reason for you to stay on the property. You can even get compensation for related losses like property damage.
Seek legal advice
If you think you can get away with not paying your rent on time because the landlord has many tenants, this is a mistake. Remember that your landlord also depends on your prompt payments to cover their mortgage payments. If you cannot pay on time and you have a valid reason, it’s recommended to consult with an experienced lawyer who specializes in this area. Call Jance Weberman Law Firm on (213) 385-9100 to learn more about your legal options.