How long does a ex-landlord have to take you to small claims?
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How long does a ex-landlord have to take you to small claims?
About 5 months ago I got a notice from a lawyer saying I owed my former landlord $3,000. I sent him a letter in response stating that I didn’t owe because not only did the landlord keep my security, I have pictures and evidence of them messing with my mail. I was evicted (1 year ago) because the day I was supposed to have received the notice from the sheriff, my locks where changed. I received a letter they filed with the courts. I was waiting for the notice that comes that you then take down to file your response. To date none has come. How long do they have to take me to court?
Asked on July 30, 2011 Connecticut
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It appears from what you have written that the landlord has filed a lawsuit against you apparently in the small claims court over your lease but you have yet to be personally served with the summons and complaint advisng you of the date, time and location of the proceeding. Potentially the "letter" you received is the actual summons and complaint about the lawsuit.
Read the letter carefully. If it is not a summons and complaint perhaps it will mention the case number of the action filed against you by the landlord so you can go down to the court house and look up the landlord's name and case number to review and file of a lawsuit against you.
Make sure you answer the complaint when served upon you and go to the hearing for the small claims court hearing. You do not want to lose by default.
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It appears from what you have written that the landlord has filed a lawsuit against you apparently in the small claims court over your lease but you have yet to be personally served with the summons and complaint advisng you of the date, time and location of the proceeding. Potentially the "letter" you received is the actual summons and complaint about the lawsuit.
Read the letter carefully. If it is not a summons and complaint perhaps it will mention the case number of the action filed against you by the landlord so you can go down to the court house and look up the landlord's name and case number to review and file of a lawsuit against you.
Make sure you answer the complaint when served upon you and go to the hearing for the small claims court hearing. You do not want to lose by default.
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