HOUSING UNIT

If you are a tenant, there are two types of notices you can receive that demand you vacate your apartment.  The first is a 30 day Notice to Quit.  This means that your landlord has elected to terminate your tenancy and has demanded that you vacate the premises within the time period stated in the notice.

The second type of notice is a 3-Day Pay or Quit Notice.  These notices are issued when a tenant is behind on rental payments.  The Notice requires that payment be made in full within three days, or, in the alternative, the tenant vacate the apartment.

Failure to abide by either of these notices can lead to eviction proceedings brought in court.  A landlord may not take any measures to forcibly remove a tenant from an apartment.  The landlord must first bring an eviction proceeding in court.  A judge must then issue a warrant of eviction for the eviction to move forward.  If you require assistance in interpreting a notice you have received or require representation in court, please contact our office at 716-853-3087.

If you are located in the City of Buffalo, Erie County or Niagara County, CELJ can provide assistance with determining what your options are. If your home is already in foreclosure due to outstanding taxes, we will need to work with you as soon as possible to determine whether we can negotiate a payment arrangement or other method to avoid foreclosure. If you are just behind, but not in foreclosure yet, our financial literacy paralegal can work with you on budget options to see if you can catch up on the taxes to avoid foreclosure. 

Yes.  Please take any notice from your local municipality seriously. There can be penalties assessed against you for failure to appear in housing court. If you need assistance in interpreting a notice you have received from housing court or if you require representation in housing court, please contact our office at 716-853-3087 to find out if you qualify for assistance.