Landlord Legal Fee Dispute

Summary

Landlords in New York cannot charge tenants legal fees unless specified in the lease or if the tenant loses in court. If a landlord demands payment without providing detailed billing, tenants should consult their attorney. Retaliatory actions by landlords are illegal under NY law. Keep all communications in writing and seek assistance from the NY Attorney Generals office if necessary.

Full Conversation

Shannon
Hi Shannon, nice to meet you. How can I assist you with your legal issue today?
My landlord charged me a lawyer fee and when I asked what it was for all he said was he was sending me to their lawyers
Hello Shannon, I understand your concern. Can you please share your location as landlord-tenant laws vary by region? This will help me provide more accurate information.
Amherst , ny
Hi Shannon,
In NY, landlords can't charge tenants for their legal fees unless:
- It's stated in your lease agreement
- You've been taken to court and lost.
Please review your lease and consult a local attorney for specific advice.
I have an attorney but my landlord said I’ll be getting paperwork about it and I haven’t in a week but they are demanding payment from a lawyer
Hi Shannon,
It's crucial to communicate with your attorney about this. If you haven't received any paperwork, your attorney may request this from the landlord's lawyer. This will clarify the nature of the charges.
No I haven’t received any paperwork yet
In this case, keep in touch with your attorney. They should be able to contact the landlord's lawyer to obtain the necessary paperwork. Until you receive it, you're not obliged to pay any lawyer's fee.
I’m afraid it’s relation because the downstairs tenants were evicted and caused harassment to us for 6 months
Hi Shannon,
If you believe you're being retaliated against because of the eviction incident, note that NY law protects tenants from retaliatory eviction. Contact your attorney and discuss this in detail.
Ok yes he is already aware
That's great, Shannon. Your attorney will guide you on the best course of action. Do ensure all communication with your landlord is in writing for record purposes.
Why would a landlord try and send you to a lawyer
A landlord might involve a lawyer to:
- Enforce lease terms
- Resolve a dispute
- Begin eviction proceedings
It's essential to understand the specifics. Your attorney can help clarify the situation.
It could be from the previous tenant
Hi Shannon, when you say "it could be from the previous tenant", are you suggesting the legal fees are for issues caused by them and not you?
I did ask for clarification but it’s possible
Hi Shannon, if you believe the legal fees relate to previous tenant issues, your attorney can ask for detailed billing from the landlord's lawyer. This can help clarify what the fees are for.
Yea I have asked them several times they won’t provide the bill to me just demanding of payment on my rental account
If your landlord refuses to provide detailed billing, your attorney can send a formal letter requesting it. The NY Attorney General's office also provides resources for tenants facing similar issues. It's crucial not to pay these unverified charges until you have clarity.
Ok thank u
You're welcome, Shannon. If you have any more questions or need further clarification, don't hesitate to ask. Remember, it's important to keep all your communications with your landlord in writing. Good luck with your situation!
Thank u
Thank you, Shannon. Remember to keep all communication with your landlord documented. If you need more help, don't hesitate to ask. Good luck with your situation!