Just like any other professional, working relationship, it is not surprising if a landlord and their tenant do not see eye-to-eye in certain situations. For example, a tenant may feel as though a landlord is not adequately maintaining the property, while a landlord may think they are fulfilling their responsibilities to the fullest. In any case, it is in your best interest to address any issue with your landlord or tenant head-on so that it does not fester in a hostile dispute that grows out of proportion. With that being said, please read on to discover how to de-escalate a landlord-tenant dispute and how a seasoned New York City real estate attorney at Zimmet Law Group, P.C. can essentially serve as a mediator or advisor at this time.
What approach can I take to de-escalate a landlord-tenant dispute?
For all intents and purposes, say that you are a tenant unhappy with your landlord’s maintenance of the premises, to the point that you start fearing for your safety and security. Well then, to formally address your concerns, you may first reach out to them, likely via email, and request you schedule an in-person meeting together.
When entering this meeting, you should bring a copy of the rental agreement you and your landlord entered at the onset of your lease term. Further, you may highlight the clauses about your landlord’s responsibilities in upkeeping the property. Also, you should carry any other tangible evidence of the poorly maintained areas in question. This is whether it be photos of broken stair railings at the entrance and internal stairwells; videos of your unit’s appliances not working properly; a copy of a public recall notice on your unit’s smoke detectors; or otherwise.
Lastly, if you feel more comfortable doing so, you may acquire a mediator to facilitate the conversation in this landlord-tenant meeting. Essentially, this neutral third party may help propose solutions that are mutually beneficial for both parties.
What should I do if this dispute cannot be resolved effectively?
If you cannot seem to reach a compromise with your tenant, even with the assistance of a mediator, you may find yourself in small claims court. Here, you must provide the court with the same evidence you brought to your initial landlord-tenant meeting. In an ideal scenario, you may win up to $5,000 or $10,000 to recover your incurred damages. At the very least, you may get the court to order your landlord to make the necessary repairs to make your property safe and secure.
Another option is to join forces with other tenants to form a tenant organization. This is especially relevant if you can confirm that a large group of other tenants have the same unresolved issues as you. In this way, you may be better equipped to bring your claim forward to a regular court should it ever get to this point.
If you have any outstanding questions yet to be answered, please ask a competent New York City real estate attorney. Anyone at Zimmet Law Group, P.C. can offer the support you need.
