An eviction letter generally is sent to you once the actual eviction process has begun. Before you receive the official eviction letter, you might have received some warning from your landlord. However, not all landlords will give warning of an eviction, even though this often is a part of the lease contract you signed when first renting the property. Your response once you receive the eviction letter often will determine whether or not you actually are evicted.
Read the eviction letter to find out why you are being evicted if you never received warning. Determine whether or not the reasons are justified.
Go through your lease to see if your landlord is in violation. For example, if you have withheld rent because something on your property needs repaired that your lease states is the landlord's responsibility, then the landlord has violated the lease. This can be used in your favor.
Read More: How to Write an Eviction Letter
Write a formal letter responding to the eviction letter to bring with you to court. This formal letter should explain your side of the case.
Gather any evidence you need to prove that you do not deserve to be evicted. For example, gather pictures of a repair not done or copies of any letters sent to the landlord regarding the repairs. Witnesses also can be helpful in court.
Go to your scheduled court date, bringing your response letter and all evidence with you, including your lease. When called on, give your side of the story to the judge. Do not be accusatory. State the facts, and if you do not deserve to be evicted, the judge hopefully will see that.
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J. Johnson has been completing freelance writing work since September 2009. Her work includes writing website content and small client projects. Johnson holds a degree in English from North Carolina State University.