Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in New Jersey

Civil Suit - Back Rent

Received a letter in the mail that my previous landlord is suing me for non payment of rent. I was evicted from this apartment with the judge telling me that I had to pay the money or move. What should I do am I required to respond? What happens if I do not.


Asked on 11/15/06, 3:02 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Gary Moore Gary Moore Attorney At Law

Re: Civil Suit - Back Rent

If you are being sued for back rent you will receive a complaint seeking same and a summons advising you how long you have to file a reponsive writing with the Court relating to the

complaint. If no answer is filed within the required time period a default judgment will be entered against you and then the landlord's lawyer will seek to collect on the judgment by taking something of value which you own.

Call me if you like.

Gary Moore, Esquire

Hackensack, New Jersey

www.garymooreattorneyatlaw.com

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Answered on 11/15/06, 3:34 pm
John Corbett Corbett Law Firm LLC

Re: Civil Suit - Back Rent

To Mr. Moore's answer, I add that the eviction proceeding did not resolve the issue of back rent and the landlord is entitled to sue you again to get that. As you have been told, if you do not answer the summons, the landlord wins automatically. If you dispute the charges or any part of them, you should answer the complaint or have a lawyer do that for you. If you don't say anything, the landlord will win the suit and can garnish your wages or ask the sheriff or a court officer to seize and sell your property to pay the judgment.

See also: http://info.corbettlaw.net/lawguru.htm

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Answered on 11/15/06, 5:30 pm


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