If you are a landlord of an apartment complex, you will end up working with an apartment attorney near me Richmond, TX eventually. Although everyone wants their job to go smoothly, disputes can occur when two or more parties disagree on something. And in the field of real estate, rent agreements can be the center of many landlord-tenant disputes. When you need a lawyer, you can rely on The Okonji Law Office.
At The Okonji Law Office, you can meet John Okonji, a local expert on real estate transactions and the laws that surround them. His practice areas include the following:
- Residential Real Estate Transactions
- Landlord-Tenant Law & Disputes
- Contract Law
How is landlord-tenant law a part of real estate law?
Landlord-tenant law is a part of real estate law and deals with things that happen when people or companies rent or lease property. Real estate law covers the rights to own, use, and enjoy land and fixed structures built on it by humans. It includes things like leases and rentals.
These rules outline the rights, duties, and legal options of landlords and tenants and how they should deal with each other. In particular, it controls lease agreements, sets rules for how to maintain property, handles evictions, and a lot more. So, any problems, disagreements, or legal issues that come up between a landlord and a renter are covered by real estate law.
Like other parts of real estate law, the rules around rented apartments can be complicated. Consulting with Mr. Okonji will ensure that you know more about the ins and outs of the legal part of your business. Get in touch with The Okonji Law Office today to schedule a consultation with an apartment attorney near me.
What an Apartment Attorney Near Me Richmond, TX Does
The apartment attorney near me is a lawyer who focuses on the rules and laws that apply to renting and leasing apartments. This includes the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords, as well as housing and discrimination laws, eviction procedures, lease agreements, dispute resolution, property upkeep requirements, and issues related to security deposits. In court cases and other legal issues related to apartment living, they can work for either landlords or tenants.
John Okonji from The Okonji Law Office is an apartment attorney near me who has experience working with the landlord’s perspective. He can help landlords enforce the rules of a lease, evict a tenant, or deal with complaints from tenants. Although you may be able to handle most disputes with your tenants by yourself, sometimes you will need the help of an experienced apartment attorney near me, like John Okonji.
What Can An Apartment Attorney Do For You?
When it comes to landlord-tenant law, an apartment lawyer can offer a lot of different services, depending on what their client needs. If the lawyer is representing the landlord, these may be some of the services they offer:
- Writing up rental or lease deals to make sure they are legal and look out for the landlord’s best interests.
- Giving legal advice on what a landlord can and cannot do according to local, state, and federal rules.
- Being the landlord’s lawyer in court during the eviction process.
- Helping to settle disagreements with renters by talking things out or going to court.
- Helping the owner deal with problems with the security deposit, damage to the property, and other money issues that come up during the rental period.
- Providing legal advice if the landlord is accused of discrimination or other fair housing violations.
- Giving advice on what needs to be done to follow living laws and rules, like safety standards for properties.
It is important for landlords to have an apartment attorney near me to help them avoid the legal problems that can come up when they manage apartment buildings and complexes. An apartment lawyer who specializes in housing laws and landlord-tenant relationships can help make sure that the landlord is following the law and being fair to the tenants.
Eviction: The End of the Line for Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Eviction is the formal process by which a landlord kicks a tenant out of a rental property. This usually happens when a tenant has violated a clause in the leasing agreement or some other issue in which they cannot stay in the apartments anymore. The steps that are taken to remove someone are listed below:
- Notice to Quit: This is the first step in the eviction process. It can begin if the renter breaks the lease or rental agreement by not paying rent, damaging the property, or other things. When there is a problem, the owner sends a written notice to the tenant telling them to leave the property.
- Legal Actions: If the renter does not leave after being given notice, the landlord can file a lawsuit in court. This is often called an “unlawful detainer” or “dispossessory proceeding.” The renter gets a notice and has a certain amount of time to answer.
- Hearing in Court: The case is being taken to court. Both the landlord and the tenant give their proof and arguments. If the court rules in favor of the owner, the tenant will be kicked out.
- Eviction: The owner cannot force the tenant to leave if they are still on the property after the court has ordered them to leave. Instead, they need to give the court order to the local police, who will then be able to evict the tenant.
- Possession of Property: The landlord takes back control of the property once the renter is kicked out.
Remember that eviction laws change from place to place, so the exact steps may be different depending on the rules and laws in your area. An apartment attorney near me who knows about landlord-tenant law can help you through the whole process of evicting a tenant.
Speak With Your Lawyer Today
Having an attorney on your side can smooth out any legal matter. Call the office today to schedule a meeting with John Okonji if you have a real estate dispute. He can help clients in Fort Bend and Harris Counties. He is the apartment attorney near me that you can rely on.
Richmond Texas Fun Facts:
- It was once the site of the Battle of Richmond, which happened during the Jaybird-Woodpecker War.
- The city was named after Richmond, England.
- It was among the first few cities to be incorporated during the Republic of Texas.