Clinton is a growing area that stands at the gateway to southern Maryland. Spurred in part by development surrounding nearby Joint Base Andrews, the population of Clinton grew by 38% between 2000 and 2010.
Clinton, Fort Washington, Suitland, and Accokeek landlords have to follow certain obligations when it comes to their tenants. In other words, your lease is not a one-way street. For starters, your landlord cannot illegally evict you. Rather, it must strictly follow all the applicable laws if it feels an eviction is justifiable. If it does not comply with the law, and if it engages in self-help, start searching for a wrongful eviction attorney near me, such as one at Whitney, LLP.
Landlords cannot use self-help to evict tenants, and cannot change locks, do lock-outs, or turn off utilities, including gas, electric, or hot water, due to late rent or a tenant staying past the end date of the lease.
If you were the victim of an illegal eviction or the landlord turned off your utilities illegally, call Whitney, LLP. We represent tenants against landlords who behave illegally, and help recover compensation for damages.
Here are reviews from some of our past clients, and here is a link to an article The Baltimore Sun published on an illegal eviction lawsuit our attorneys recently filed. Whitney, LLP’s wrongful eviction lawyers offer Legal Consultations, and our eviction clients pay no out of pocket costs or expenses. Call 410 583 8000, or use our Quick Contact Form, for help with your illegal eviction claims.
Eviction Laws for Clinton, MD, Landlords
Maryland law is unmistakably clear when it comes to how evictions cannot be carried out by the landlord. The law states that landlords must get a court order for the eviction and cannot do evict or turn off utilities illegally and on their own. Taking matters into their own hands would include changing the locks, turning off gas, electric, hot water and other utilities, or trying to intimidate you out of your home.
Moreover, they usually must give a tenant the chance to pay back overdue rent and reverse the eviction. Besides these laws, the lease agreement offers some protection as well. After all, it is a contract that a Clinton, Camp Springs or Accokeek landlord cannot break. When this happens, you should take immediate steps to get help for a wrongful eviction.
Whitney, LLP’s illegal eviction lawyers represent tenants against landlords that turn off utilities and engage in wrongful evictions.
Can a Tenant Sue for an Illegal Eviction in Clinton, MD?
Yes, tenants can sue their landlord after being illegally evicted or if utilities such as gas, electric or hot water are shut off illegally to force the tenant out. If you have been illegally evicted, you likely feel hurt, angry, and humiliated.
Thankfully, the law provides an avenue to get help. The same law that forbids illegal eviction also answers the question of can a tenant sue if one takes place. The answer is yes — you have the right to go to court to prove that the landlord broke the law. The most effective way to enforce your tenant legal rights for eviction is to have the representation of an experienced attorney, such as the lawyers at Whitney, LLP who represent tenant against landlords.
Legal Rights for Evicted Tenants in Clinton, MD
Working together with an illegal eviction lawyer near me, you would develop the legal complaint that starts the court case. Your lawsuit will begin with a statement of facts and the reasons why the court should hold the landlord responsible for your losses. If the landlord chooses to defend the case instead of settling it, the court process could take several months up to year or more.
Your attorney will likely request documents from the landlord and take its deposition. All this could ultimately lead up to a trial in front of a judge and jury, who will decide whether you are entitled to financial compensation and how much you should receive.
The law says that you may be paid “actual damages,” but there are a number of different areas in which you can seek as compensation. First, you may recover for the financial losses that you incurred, including the cost to find a new place and the damage to your property. The landlord could even have to pay for any food that spoiled in your refrigerator and other losses. Damages can also include emotional distress and punitive penalties. It is vital to document your losses as soon as possible so that you can prove them in court.
Wrongful Eviction Attorney Near Me in Clinton, MD
Your potential case will benefit from an experienced lawyer who knows the process of enforcing tenant legal rights for eviction.
Call the lawyers at Whitney LLP at (410) 583-8000 to request your free initial consultation, or contact us online today. Your landlord does not have to get away with mistreating and humiliating you through an illegal eviction. We will not charge you for any out-of-pocket costs or expenses.