Our firm provides extensive services to landlords of all sizes throughout New Jersey. We understand the requirements placed on landlords and the steps that must be taken to ensure compliance and avoid financial penalties and other consequences. Our attorneys are knowledgeable in all applicable laws and regulations for landlords involved in both residential and commercial leases.
Services We Provide to Landlords
Being a successful landlord requires strict compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. With our firm, landlords can rest assured that their interests are protected. The following are some of the comprehensive services we offer.
Landlord Instruction
Landlords are typically not attorneys and are not familiar with all that the law requires. Because of this, we prioritize meeting with our landlord clients to instruct them on how the law applies to their particular situation and the steps they must take to remain in good standing. By empowering our clients with this knowledge, we can prevent problems down the road, saving our landlord clients time, energy, and financial resources.
Leasing
Many matters must be covered in both residential and commercial leases to ensure the landlord’s rights are protected. Our firm prepares and reviews leases for our landlord
clients, both large and small. This includes agreements for large commercial complexes.
Evictions
Having to evict a tenant is never a pleasant prospect, and there are many ways in which the process may go awry, especially if the tenant should challenge the eviction. Allowing our firm to handle this process for you alleviates this burden, and you can rest assured that the eviction process will comply with all applicable laws. Our representation includes assisting landlords in eviction matters involving federally subsidized tenants, commercial tenants, and holdover tenants.
Compliance With Notice Requirements
A landlord is required to have good cause to force a tenant out of premises. If the cause is for something other than nonpayment of rent, the landlord must provide the tenant a written “Notice to Quit” that ends the tenancy and tells the tenant to leave the premises. When the “Notice to Quit” fails to prompt the tenant to leave and further action is needed to have the premises vacated, the landlord must provide a “Notice to Cease” to the tenant. This notice is an official warning that the tenant must cease their wrongful conduct.
The “Notice to Quit” and the “Notice to Cease” are required before a landlord may file a lawsuit for an eviction, and our firm prepares these notices on behalf of our landlord clients. When the tenant refuses to vacate the premises, we move forward with eviction procedures.
Demand letters
In most cases, when a tenant fails to comply with the terms of their tenancy agreement in one way or another, a landlord is required to send them a written demand letter before proceeding with litigation. This letter explains what the tenant has done or failed to do in non-compliance with the tenancy agreement and how they can rectify the matter. In addition, our office prepares demand letters on behalf of our landlord client when needed.
Code Compliance
Landlords are required to comply with applicable codes. Violations of these codes can cost landlords significant financial resources. In particular, in New Jersey, there is a “multiple dwelling” code that applies to landlords of three or more residential units. These codes regulate everything from ventilation to the locks on the doors. This is in addition to any local codes, which often apply to landlords of even one residential property. Our lawyers advise our landlord clients to ensure they remain in compliance with these codes and represent them in court in cases where they are accused of code violations.
Consult With a Landlord Tenant Lawyer at the Law Office of Jace C. McColley, LLC
If you are a new landlord of one property or an experienced landlord of multiple properties, we are here for you. We will guide you through the landlord-tenant laws and explain how they apply to you and how you can remain in compliance. In difficult situations with tenants, we will ensure that your rights are protected. Contact our firm to schedule a consultation.