Legal Question in Legal Ethics in California
Non-Payment of service for Landlords business
I have a service business and one of my clients is also my landlord. This landlord owes me a substantial amount and has refused to pay saying ''I do not pay on anything over 90 days''. I have sent bills and verbally asked about payment but to no avail. I now owe this landlord back rent (if Accounts don't pay me I can't pay my bills). Can I legally credit the balance owed to me by the landlord as rent payment?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Non-Payment of service for Landlords business
Unless your lease provides for it, not yet. If you get a judgment against your landlord, then you might collect your own rents otherwise due to the landlord to satisfy the judgment. Unless you desire to relocate, what you suggest is very risky. Perhaps a neutral third party can negotiate a compromise with the landlord which would be much better than the matter spiraling out of control.