I have been renting a flat for five years. There have never been any problems. I just got a notice of eviction in the mail. It says that I am being evicted due to noise complaints. I never got any letters about this. This notice of eviction is the first I have heard about it. I cannot afford to move and I am in the middle of exams so am feeling very stressed already. I have no money for a lawyer but need some help. Where can I go? Can I get some free legal advice?
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Answer by Pearl Beaumont, Penrith 2570 NSW
- You need to find out where your closest Community Legal Centre is and contact them for help. CLCs offer a range of free legal services for people including about tenancy issues.
- You can find out when their next walk-in session is. This is when you can simply go to their office and speak to a lawyer about your case. You may be able to make an appointment with a lawyer by ringing up or by filling in an appointment application form.
- Some CLCs offer specialist tenancy services. You may be referred to one of these if there is one nearby that you can get to.
- Some of these only offer a telephone advice service. If you ring up a telephone advice service you need to make sure you have copies of documents with you so you can easily answer the lawyer’s questions.
- Remember to take copies of your lease and the eviction notice along to your appointment at the CLC office. If you have had any other letters from the real estate agent or owner take them as well.