Eviction Defense Intake: What Lawyers Need from Tenants
Speed up eviction defense case evaluation with intake forms that capture critical timelines and facts.
Eviction cases move quickly, and the intake process for eviction defense must be equally fast. In many jurisdictions, tenants have only five to seven days to respond to an eviction complaint. An attorney who receives an eviction defense inquiry needs to assess the case and take action within hours, not days. The intake form must capture the most critical information immediately so the attorney can determine whether defenses exist and whether emergency court action is needed.
Priority Intake Questions
The first questions should establish the timeline: when was the eviction notice received, what is the court date if any has been set, and has the tenant already been served with a complaint. Next, capture the reason for eviction including nonpayment of rent, lease violation, no-fault termination, or illegal reasons like retaliation or discrimination. For nonpayment cases, ask whether the tenant has the ability to pay current rent going forward and whether there are habitability issues that may constitute a defense.
Document any government subsidies like Section 8 that may provide additional protections, whether the property is subject to rent control or just-cause eviction requirements, and whether the tenant has experienced recent retaliation for asserting their rights. Photos of any habitability problems, copies of the lease and all notices received, and rent payment records should all be uploaded during intake. The more complete the information at intake, the more effectively the attorney can evaluate defenses and prepare for the initial court appearance.