The relationship between a landlord and tenant can be challenging. Both parties bring unique needs and requirements to the table. How can you make sure that your rights are protected, while also meeting the needs of your new tenant? Before you trust any individual with your property, it’s important to understand what makes a great landlord tenant attorney. The right attorney understands both real estate law in your state as well as landlord and tenant laws. An excellent lawyer is knowledgeable, accessible, affordable, and reputable. Let’s take a look at some qualities of a great Orange County landlord tenant attorney so you can find the best one for you and your property.
Qualities of a Great Landlord-Tenant Attorney
Before you start searching, you need to know what to look for in a landlord tenant attorney. The most important qualities are knowledge of local and state laws as well as responsiveness and availability. You may want an attorney who specializes in landlord tenant law or you might be open to a general practice attorney who is willing to learn. You want to make sure that the attorney you choose understands both real estate law and landlord and tenant laws. Many attorneys will say that they specialize in landlord tenant law, but this may not be true. Be sure to ask how many cases they’ve handled in this particular area of law before you choose them. You also want to make sure that the attorney is accessible. They should have hours that are convenient for you, but also open when you need them. You don’t want to wait until they are available to sign a lease or deal with an emergency repair situation.
Responsiveness and Availability
You should always feel comfortable contacting your landlord tenant lawyer. Ideally, you should be able to reach your lawyer whenever you need to without any issues. You should also be able to get in touch with them easily. This means that they have an up-to-date website, easy-to-find contact information, and an easy-to-use communication system. When you contact your lawyer, you should get a prompt response. Ideally, you should hear back from your lawyer within 24 hours. If you don’t hear back from your lawyer at all, you might want to look for a different lawyer. You don’t want to be forced to represent yourself in court because your lawyer never got back to you.
Affordability
While you want to make sure that you get a quality lawyer, you also don’t want to break the bank. You want to make sure that your lawyer is within your budget. While some lawyers charge an hourly rate, others charge a flat rate. If a flat rate sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If a lawyer is charging very little for their services, they may not have a great reputation or they may be relatively new to the field. You can find out a lawyer’s rates by asking them. If they don’t have a set rate, ask them how much they charge per hour. You can also check to see if your state has any lists of approved attorneys where you can find pricing information.
Reputation and Track Record
Along with rates, you should also look into a landlord tenant attorney’s reputation and track record before hiring them. You want to make sure that you’re hiring a reputable and reputable attorney. You can do this by checking online reviews and contacting anyone you know who has hired a lawyer for landlord tenant issues before. You can also check with your local bar association to see if there are any complaints against your potential lawyer. You can also check to see if your state has a governing board for landlord tenant law. The board usually has a list of approved attorneys and may have some information about their track record and reputation.
Recommended Attorney Network
These are some of the qualities that you should look for in a landlord tenant attorney. However, it can be difficult to find an attorney who has all of these qualities. That’s why you may want to consider using a legal network or lawyer referral service. Legal networks (such as UpCounsel or Lawyers.com) have vetted attorneys who have gone through background checks, have a minimum amount of experience, and have been reviewed by past clients. Using a legal network can be a great way to find a reliable and trustworthy attorney who fits your needs and budget.
