re: Landlord/tenant laws question

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It's like you attorney's have never heard of small claims court.

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True, but I don't have any idea where he lives, and small claims can go from $60 to $140.00 or so just for the petition depending on locale. Then, you can pay an addition $20 to $60 to serve the thing. Guess what happens if the person ducks service? You get to pay again! It can add up a bit and be a headache.

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Or that, if you win the claim, the landlord pays your court costs

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Getting a judgment does not equal collecting on that judgment. Oh, and that can cost another $120 to $220 or so. So, you could spend $300 to $500 and not collect diddly poo. Just something to consider.

If his claim was over $5,000 (in LA), now you are out of small claims and prepare your anus for those costs. Or, alternatively, prepare for the landlord to live in an area with a Justice of the Peace working out of his living room. Good luck using that guy.

Some of these claims are quite easy to do, some aren't. No way to know over the internet with few facts.