Many landlords try to go through the eviction process themselves. It can be enticing— trying to keep things simple, doing it as fast as possible, and with as few people involved—it really sounds like a good plan. However, the law, and in particular, landlord/tenant law, normally does not work well in these situations.
I can remember many times in which I have sat in Court waiting for my cases to be called, only to hear the judge ask a pro se landlord (a landlord representing themselves in court without an attorney) about a newly added or different factor of the law, only to witness the blank-white stare looking back at the judge showing extreme disappointment as the Court was forced to dismiss their case, and while the landlord can re-file, they have to start the process all over.
The rules governing evictions, also known as Summary Proceedings, are very specific. They were designed to create a more efficient way for landlords to go to court and regain possession of their property. Even so, eviction cases can still be time-consuming, especially if handled in other courts. Because Summary Proceedings are intended to move quickly, courts require that the rules be followed strictly and precisely. Even a single mistake can result in the case being dismissed, requiring the landlord to start the process over again.
This is where MCV Law can help. Our Landlord Services Department includes three Landlord attorneys and dedicated staff with decades of combined experience representing landlords. We stay up to date on changes to New York law, including developments such as new municipalities adopting Good Cause Eviction requirements, so we can guide our clients through the eviction process with confidence.
If you have questions about your situation, contact MCV Law today to discuss the specifics of your case with our team.