I Have a Very Small Apartment Building in Raleigh. Do I Need a Lawyer?
In a perfect world, all tenants pay their rent in full and on time, while respecting their apartments in the same way they would their own homes. However, in the real world, virtually any type of dispute with your tenants can lead to litigation governed by a host of North Carolina landlord tenant laws. You need only one rental unit in your building to face the likelihood of a dispute, or require clarification of your rights and responsibilities. A single phone call to an experienced attorney may be all you need to resolve the wide array of issues that can arise.
To get an idea of exactly how complicated landlord and tenant regulations can be, look at the North Carolina General Statutes covering this area of the law. Since every landlord is likely to have unique circumstances, relying on pre-printed generic lease agreements can fail to safeguard you against special situations. Every time a tenant moves out — whether voluntarily or because of eviction — many issues arise, including the legal handling of security deposits, or decisions about what to do with items left behind by tenants.
As property owners, landlords are generally viewed as having the more powerful position in the landlord-tenant relationship. However, your tenants often have access to a number of free or low-cost tenant-rights organizations, government agencies or even online information that ensure they know how to protect their rights. Landlords do not typically benefit from this type of support. You need to rely on the legal knowledge of skilled Raleigh landlord tenant lawyers to level the playing field, by focusing on your legal rights to protect your own property.
Regardless of the size of the property, landlords need to know how to operate within the law, and how to protect their interests. The attorneys at Hatch, Little & Bunn, L.L.P. regularly participate in courses sponsored by the City of Raleigh and the Raleigh Police Department to provide a clear understanding of the law. Most landlords need assistance with specific issues from time to time. Contact us to learn how we can help.
August 17, 2013 Posted in Real Estate Tagged apartment laws, landlord laws, tenant laws Leave a comment
