Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Virginia

A 17 year old girl across the street came to my house at 3am drunk, cursing in my face and swinging her arms around. I grabbed her by her neck and pushed her out in the street with instructions to stay off my property. She called the police and pressed charges on me for assault, which we have not been to court for yet. Her mother has since then been making false complaints to the landlord about my kids, dog, etc. so she can try to get me put out of the neighborhood. The landlord sent me a letter of intent to terminate my lease agreement if the rules are broken again based on this lady's complaints and the fact that assault charges have been filed against me (not convicted, only filed). Is this legal? How can they kick me out of the neighborhood due to false accusations which were not witnessed by them? Also, is there anything I can do about the lady filing false complaints? I am a single mother of 3 boys and can't afford to move, especially when I haven't done anything wrong.


Asked on 6/06/10, 9:38 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

The landlord must have evidence that you've committed a material violation

of your lease before he may legally terminate it prematurely. From the letter

which you've described as recently sent to you by the landlord, that would

not appear yet to be the case.

Regarding your possibly having a cause of action against your accuser for

filing a false complaint, such a determination would likely need to await the outcome of the current charge of assault which remains pending against you

(in my opinion).

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Answered on 6/06/10, 9:15 pm


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