Documents to bring to Court: Tenants

Documents tenants should bring to court:

When you go to a landlord-tenant eviction hearing, you will need to bring several documents.

The lease is perhaps the most important document to provide. It is the instrument that shows how much rent is to be paid each month, when the rent is due, when the lease begins and ends, whether the landlord or tenant is responsible for certain amenities (such as electric, water, and cable), and other rules that govern the time of occupancy.

If your landlord is seeking unpaid rent, bring receipts or bank statements showing that the rent was paid.

If your landlord is asking for cost of repairs, bring pictures showing that the rental unit was left in excellent condition will help your case.

If you believe that the rental unit is not habitable, bring proof of the unit’s condition as well as documentation (i.e. letters, text messages, emails) showing that you requested the landlord make repairs.

If your landlord is keeping the security deposit, he or she must provide the deposit or a list of repairs within 30 days. Bring photos or witnesses who can say that the place was left in the same condition as when you moved in. If you have proof that the notice was not served within 30 days, bring that evidence. For example, if you moved out on October 30 and the letter is postmarked December 2, then that would be evidence. Furthermore, bring proof that you gave a forwarding address to the landlord.