Getting a letter from your landlord, their lawyer, or Housing Court can be stressful, especially when you’re not sure what it means.
Whatever you do, don’t put it aside and forget about it. Some housing notices have deadlines, and waiting too long could make the problem harder to deal with.
What Kind of Notice Did You Get?
There are a few possible reasons a landlord would send a letter to a tenant instead of just knocking on your door. It could be:
- An eviction or termination notice
- A notice saying you owe rent
- A notice to solve a serious problem
- A notice to move out of your apartment
- Housing Court papers or a summons
- A letter from your landlord’s lawyer
- A notice about a change in your lease
Even if you don’t agree with what the notice says, don’t ignore it.
Keep Everything You Receive
Hold onto the notice, the envelope it came in, and any other papers that were included.
If the notice mentions a deadline or court date, pay attention to it. You may need to respond or take action by a certain date.
And if you’re asked to sign something you don’t understand, don’t rush to sign it just because it looks official.
A Notice Doesn’t Always Mean You Have to Leave
Seeing words like “eviction,” “termination,” or “vacate” can be scary. But receiving a notice does not necessarily mean you have to pack up and leave right away.
What happens next depends on the situation and the type of notice you received. Seek legal advice before taking any drastic action.
Legal Support for Rideshare Drivers
Rideshare Legal Services offers Uber, Lyft, and black car drivers legal assistance for housing issues, for free.
If you receive a notice for anything to do with housing or a landlord/tenant issue, you can get help understanding the papers you received, what they mean, and what your next steps may be.
The sooner you ask for help, the more time you may have to understand your options. Get help today by tapping below, or call us at (646) 687-7587.
