landlords legal fees?

[lawson3257]

Missouri

is it illegal for the landlord to require that i pay his/her legal fees if the sue me for defaulting to pay or iff we get into a legal dispute?

 

[dj1]

ONLY if its stated in the lease......

Just like late fees, or damage or breaking of the lease fees.....If it aint written in your lease, the landlord CANNOT make you pay for them.

Remember a lease works BOTH WAYS! If you sue the landlord and there is no mention in the lease about legal fees then YOU cant collect from the landlord if you win.

Sometimes life is FAIR!

 

[Cvillecpm]

Prevailing Party Usually has their Fees PAID

Absent wording in the lease, the "prevailing/winning" party usually gets their fees paid. If your landlord wins, then his fees are usually awarded in the judgement against you.

 

[dj1]

The landlord here in NYC can only get the legal fees if it is stated in the lease. AND the landlord includes it in the original petition.

If its not stated in the lease,"winning /prevailing party" why should a landlord get his fees paid, that would be wrong, and probably illegal.

If its not stated in the lease the landlord forfits the right to ask for it, same with late fees.