Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts

Failure to Appear Civil Court Proceedings

I recently had an issue with a former landlord. She wanted $675.00 which was my share of rent, for my residing in her apartment for roughly 3 days. She harassed my family for the money, changed the locks, and called the police when I went to remove my belongings from the premises. I did not appear in court because I did not get the summons until after the court date. She is now trying to sue me for $2000.00 for rent of January of 2004 and the month of February.

Will there be a warrant out for my arrest for failure to appear? Can she do this, I realized after I moved in that this would not work out. She's called my job, and she's called references on the application and let them know what the situation was.

Is this legal, do I have any legal recourse?


Asked on 4/26/04, 10:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joseph Murray Joseph M. Murray, Esq.

Re: Failure to Appear Civil Court Proceedings

You should retain an attorney to determine whether your landlord may have violated the law and whether you have rights to request the court remove the defaul judgment that has apparently entered against you.

Read more
Answered on 4/26/04, 12:13 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in Massachusetts