Posted by louis on July 27, 2000 at 15:50:31:
In Reply to: Probably illegal destabalization--alternatives to lawyers? posted by Stacy on July 27, 2000 at 13:34:22:
I don't suggest going to court without a lawyer. Doesn't your lease have an attorney's fee clause? And wouldnt that attorneys fee clause entitle you to attorney fees if you win--and work against you if you lose?
If my choice was DHCR or going to court without a lawyer, I'd choose the DHCR, but it is a poor choice. Mind you, I just won a reduction of services PAR, without a laywer for most of the time.
People have had horrific experiences with the DHCR, myself included. But if you have a clear-cut case, I think it is worse than paying zillions to a lawyer. Besides, if the DHCR rules against you and is clearly wrong, you can appeal it in court.
The problem is that the whole process takes a zillion years.
So the choice is going to court, paying a lawyer, and getting a quick (and not necessarily favorable!) ruling, going to court without a lawyer and getting treated badly, or going to the DHCR and getting glacial pro-landlord treatment.
One advantage of the DHCR--a court case, I understand, might put you on the landlord "blacklist," while DHCR cases dont, because the names of the tenant are not on the decisions, at least of the PARs.
Follow Ups:
Note: Posting is disabled in all archives
Post a Followup