It may go without saying that a landlord can become frustrated when their tenants in Raleigh fail to pay them the rent. Multiple missed payments may prompt them to take action either to enforce their rental agreement or commence eviction proceedings. Such situations can understandably become contentious, which is why state and local officials establish very clear guidelines on how landlord-tenant matters are to be resolved. Unfortunately, there may be times when one (or both) parties to a rental agreement refuse to follow such regulations.
When this happens, results like those that came from a recent case in Maryland are often the outcome. A city councilman is currently facing criminal charges after the tenant of his basement apartment claims that he forced his way into her home and assaulted her in front of her young son. The man allegedly threw objects and furniture during his tirade, and even said disparaging things about his parents to the boy. The incident spilled outside into the street, where the boy eventually called 911. Authorities were dispatched but the councilman left the scene before they arrived.
The tenant admits to being behind on her rent payments, but said she had an appointment to speak with the councilman’s wife about the matter that very day. During the confrontation, she claimed the man told her she and her family needed to be out by the next day. Yet by his own admission, the councilman had not yet formally commenced eviction proceedings.
Stories such as these highlight the need for contentious landlord-tenant matters to be handled appropriately. One may help assure this happens by working through such process with an experienced attorney.
