Getting a lawyer or filing case myself?

[Jennifer Figueroa]

Hi all,

I am currently helping my family run their multifamily property in New Jersey. Currently in our 5 unit building one of the tenants hasn’t paid rent in 18 months and unfortunately neither does the tenant have a written lease. Since the rent that the tenant owes surpasses the $15,000 special civil case would you suggest I pay $3,500 for a lawyer to file the case for the approximate 20k the tenant owes or save $3,500 lawyer fee and file myself? My gut is saying be secure and pay the $3,500 lawyer fee and serve this as a learning lesson to have written leases for tenants in the future.

Let me know what you think!

Jenn

[Charles Carillo]

@Jennifer Figueroa

Your eviction attorney is charging you $3,500? If a tenant is not paying rent and behind on rent (especially 18 months); they are most likely never going to pay rent or catchup back rent or pay a judgement against them. I would focus more on getting them out and re-renting the unit. An eviction attorney can do this for you. The attorney will most likely also get a judgment against them but don't plan on collecting that. Lastly, eviction attorneys are usually a fraction of the amount you were quoted.