As it has been said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” While this cliché is typically attribute to health issues, it is applicable in other areas of life as well. For example, excellent car maintenance prevents a lot of wear and tear and saves money on repairs. An ounce of prevention is also worth a pound of cure to avoid New York real estate disputes.
Legal complications often arise in real estate when one or both parties to an agreement signed a contract without understanding the implications or while misinterpreting the terms of the agreement or state laws or other pertinent issues. To avoid disputes, a landlord and a tenant will both want to carefully review all laws that are relevant to their agreement. Particularly for landlords, housing laws frequently change, which is why it pays to stay updated rather than risk a real estate dispute.
Do not address legal issues via text or email
If a real estate dispute arises, a landlord is best off scheduling an in-person meeting with the tenant in question. A minor problem can escalate into a serious legal complication when text messages or other electronic correspondence is taken out of context or misinterpreted. A face-to-face discussion is usually preferable.
Have all paperwork in order if a tenant files a claim
Litigation in a New York courtroom may be necessary to resolve a landlord/tenant dispute. A landlord will want to make sure he or she brings along any documentation that is relevant to the case. It is also a good idea to seek legal assistance from an attorney who has represented other landlords in similar situations.