My friends are elderly and almost homebound. They paid their rent through August, then received an eviction notice at the end of August. They tried to pay in September but the office wouldn’t accept payment due to the pending eviction. Court date is this Wed, October 9. Any advice on what they should do to protect themselves in court?
Oh man, that’s rough. First thing, they need to gather proof of rent payments through August, like bank statements or receipts. Even if they couldn’t pay in September, showing they paid before could help.
It’s important for them to get legal help, but I know it’s tough if they’re on a fixed income. Did they check with any local community legal aid services? Sometimes there’s emergency help even if the main services have a long wait.
I feel for them. If they can’t make it to court in person, the court needs to be informed ASAP. Some places allow phone or video appearances, which could really help.
One thing to remember is to try offering to pay the back rent in court if it’s an option. Judges might be more lenient if they see a willingness to pay.
If they’re up for it, mediation might be a route before the trial. It’s not always an option, but it’s worth checking if their court has it.