SMALL BUSINESS FOCUS: LANDLORD LIABILITY FOR THIRD PARTY ACTIONS (The Second in a Series of Articles)

In our first article, we discussed the landlord’s actions or inactions that can trigger constructive eviction, giving the tenant a defense in court against a landlord’s suit for unpaid rents.  This article discusses a landlord’s liability when a third party causes problems, or creates the conditions leading to the tenant’s constructive eviction.

Can the commercial tenant successfully plead constructive eviction or prevail against a claim for unpaid rents if another tenant interferes with your business operations?…  

Nonredeemable judgments for possession — Are they legal?

In the decades that I have practiced law, beginning with Law Students in Court, I have always understood that a nonredeemable judgment for possession in a non-payment of rent case, was both contrary to law and public policy.  In cases other than nonpayment of rent, a nonredeemable judgment for possession may be consistent with law.  Lately, however, I understand that some Judges in the Landlord and Tenant Branch of D.C.…  

FORECLOSURE – KNOWING YOUR RIGHTS MATTERS.

Introduction

Suppose you’ve struggled to earn a decent salary to buy a home, you lived there for years with your family, giving them a sense of security and comfort. You’ve been a good citizen and contributed to the community. But life happened, you lost a job, lost a significant other or someone suffered a serious health crisis.…