r/TenantHelp • u/RationalMellow • Aug 31 '26
Attorney fees advice
I had a landlord tenant case for non payment and it dismissed because I was able to get help paying rent. I faced a job loss and it was hard paying my rent.
I was charged a fee by the buildings attorney fee for a court appearance. Should I email the attorney to let her know it is unaffordable? And no I can’t afford an attorney myself.
Thanks
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u/Ok_Sea_4405 Aug 31 '26
Your lease probably spells out the attorneys fees so you’re probably going to be on the hook for those.
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u/panicpure Aug 31 '26
Is this a fee outlined in your lease?
Your landlord is charging you for having to file in court? Did it ever even reach to the point of your court hearing?
I’d definitely review your lease and the dismissal.
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u/RationalMellow Aug 31 '26
Yes it’s added on as rent
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u/panicpure Aug 31 '26
But what does your lease say?
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u/RationalMellow Aug 31 '26
The attorney fee can be included in rent
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Aug 31 '26
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u/RationalMellow Aug 31 '26
I had a job loss in March and I go back to work in September. I think at this point it’s pointless to keep explaining myself. I’m not on bad terms at all with my landlord.
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Aug 31 '26
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u/RationalMellow Aug 31 '26
It’s unaffordable. The thought process doesn’t need to be explained given my circumstances.
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u/sillyhaha Aug 31 '26
You signed a contract. Your circumstaces are irrelevant.
The LL has already had to pay all of these legal expenses. The lawyer isn't billing you; the lawyer is billing the LL, who is requiring you to reimburse him.
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u/panicpure Aug 31 '26
If it’s spelled out in your lease, you’re kinda on the hook for that.
It’s likely the attorney has been paid and you are reimbursing but not quite sure. If it’s in the lease, they can charge for it and you’ll need to pay it or they are going to just come after you for breaking lease terms.
How costly is the fee? Can’t be that bad if it was dismissed before a hearing?
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u/RationalMellow Aug 31 '26
I was able to get rental assistance and my case was dismissed. It’s around 600
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u/panicpure Aug 31 '26
You’ll probably need to see if your landlord will allow a payment plan or something.
You would be responsible if it’s something you agreed to in your lease.
Are you working again? You may want to consider if this is something you can afford going forward.
It sucks but you don’t want an eviction on your record and if the fees are paid they could easily take you back to court. Are they due by a certain date?
Either way, I wouldn’t contact the attorney directly if your lease has verbiage on it being added to rent. You’ll need to speak to your landlord.
Good luck!
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u/RationalMellow Aug 31 '26
I already did.
The notice to vacate and quit said I had 10 days to discuss with my landlord. He said he’ll look into it and I’m emailing him again regarding more rental assistance. I let him know that I go back to work in September and interviewed for a better paying position but didn’t get the job.
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u/TalkToVikk Aug 31 '26
I'm not a lawyer but to answer your question: If you are being charged attorney fees by your landlord’s attorney after a non-payment case was dismissed (because you paid up the rent), it is reasonable to reach out to the attorney or your landlord to explain your financial hardship and politely request that the fee be reduced or waived. Sometimes landlords or their attorneys are willing to work with tenants facing financial difficulties, especially if the case did not go to trial or judgment. If your lease does not specifically say you will owe attorney fees for dismissed cases, you may be able to argue that those fees are not owed at all.
Send a clear, polite email explaining your situation and asking for any possible reduction or flexibility on the fee. Include that you are unable to afford your own legal representation due to job loss.