Landlord attorneys are legal professionals that both landlords and tenants should not undervalue. According to Flex, a digital rent payment platform, the average landlord has three properties. More properties mean a greater likelihood of a dispute with a tenant. Luckily, there are attorneys who can assist either party. Here are some questions you can ask a prospective landlord attorney before bringing them aboard.
How Long Have You Been Practicing?
When you’re hiring a landlord attorney, you want to ensure that you’re working with one who is experienced. Don’t hesitate to ask your prospective legal expert about their previous experience with assisting landlords and tenants alike. You can rest assured that their case history will allow them to better anticipate case circumstances and happenings.
As a landlord, you should also find out whether the attorney has experience with representing those who operate the same type of property that you do. As a resident having a dispute with their landlord, it’s equally beneficial to inquire about the lawyer’s case projects and expectations. Communicating about their expertise in their field will go a long way toward ensuring a solid, communicative attorney-client relationship.
How Will We Communicate?
It’s also important to get a good idea of how often and how thorough your communication with your lawyer will be. The last thing you want is to feel like you’re chasing after your own lawyer for an answer because they aren’t answering your calls or emails. Top-tier legal teams build their reputation on dependable and helpful communication patterns, as their partnerships with landlords and tenants require collaboration.
Consistent communication and legal counsel should be expected throughout the entire process. As your case develops and your landlord attorney determines the next steps, it’s crucial that they help you understand what these steps entail, what information or details they need from you, as well as answer the questions you have along the way.
How Much Do You Charge?
One fundamental consideration to make before moving forward with a landlord attorney is to ensure that their services are within your budget. During your initial meeting, don’t hesitate to ask for specific pricing information. Any expert lawyer you talk with should be upfront about how much they charge and what their fees cover. This level of candor is a great indicator of their future transparency.
Keep in mind that billing can take the form of flat fees or cyclical payments. Specific fees can apply to particular services. With the assistance of an experienced legal team, you can rest easy knowing that they will thoroughly assess the details of your case, make a thorough judgment of your lease details, what tenant or landlord laws you should be aware of, as well as making sure that the property paperwork is gathered and accounted for. A lawyer will prioritize your knowledge of their fees and the depth of their services.
What Services Do You Provide?
Last but certainly not least, it’s critical to be fully aware of what services your landlord-tenant representation can deliver. An exceptional team of lawyers should have more than adequate experience in both commercial and residential landlord-tenant disputes. Prioritize asking a prospective law firm about the specific legal advice they can give. Working with a law expert who has limited experience with cases like yours is unlikely to work in your favor.
Whether you’re a tenant or a landlord, you’ll find that hiring an attorney with a comprehensive set of skills and in-depth knowledge is well worth the investment. For example, The Law Office of Lawrence M. Centanni, PC has provided clients with services concerning security deposit disputes, willful damage to property, violations of rules and regulations in a lease agreement, eviction, habitability, and more. In addition to supporting individual landlords and tenants, our team also has experience in serving partnerships and corporations.
Are you looking for a landlord attorney in your area? If so, then you can look to our firm for a dedicated team of experts skilled in landlord-tenant disputes. If you’re in need of dedicated representation that will guide you throughout this process, turn to The Law Office of Lawrence M Centanni today. We look forward to learning more about your case and providing you with the support you need.
