Having support to Navigate Eviction
Eviction is a process that can be difficult to navigate alone. The eviction process involves multiple steps, such as going to court and representing yourself against the landlord. This guide will help you understand how the eviction process works so you can decide what's best for your situation.
Heading to Court
If you are facing eviction, it is important to know what to expect and how to prepare for court.
Prepare for the hearing by gathering all the documents related to your case. This includes:
proof of service (if applicable)
lease agreement with any rental company
receipts from repairs or payments made directly to landlord/property management company (if applicable)
other relevant paperwork that has been sent in since your last court date (e.g., written offer or payment plan).
Representation
We discussed the many reasons that someone might be facing eviction. Now we are going to talk about how you can have support in navigating your case and why it is important to seek legal help.
At the end of the day, tenants are human beings who have rights and responsibilities under the law. It is important for you to know what those are so that if there comes a time when you need them enforced in order to prevent an eviction from happening against your will, then they can do so effectively.
The first step towards getting help is knowing where it exists:
You have a right to free legal representation through the Legal Aid Society (LAS). LAS offer advice on any matter related to your tenancy such as rent increase disputes or repairs issues with landlords.
If you are facing an eviction, there are resources and services available to help you. You do not have to face this alone.
The majority of those who are evicted do not seek legal support before their eviction. If you would like assistance with your case, please Click here to explore if you qualify for support.
You do not have to face eviction alone.
If you are facing eviction, there are several ways to get the help and support you need. You can get free legal representation, or find out if your local community legal clinic offers advice on how to negotiate with your landlord.
You may also be able to apply for mediation through the Tenancy Tribunal. This is where an independent person helps both sides reach an agreement about what should happen next in their dispute. Mediation does not cost anything as it is funded by Housing New Zealand, however parties cannot take someone else's place at a mediation session (including lawyers).
If you disagree with decisions made in court or by the Tenancy Tribunal, then there are other options available such as appealing those decisions (you will need an Appeal Booklet from any District Court office) or going back into court for another hearing about your situation if new facts come up later on down the track (this would mean hiring a lawyer again).
Eviction is a stressful experience for anyone. If you are facing eviction, you should know that there are resources available to help you through this difficult time. You can seek out legal assistance and get advice on how best to deal with your situation. There are many organizations that offer free legal support or low cost legal services in their communities, so it never hurts to ask around if there are any community resources available in your area. If no one knows of any such resources, then contact us today! We offer free consultations where we will discuss all of your options with you before deciding which plan works best for your needs.