How to Sue UDR in Small Claims Court
UDR Inc., formerly known as United Dominion Realty, is the 19th largest owner of apartments in the United States, making the company one of the largest property managers in the country. There's a very good chance that if you rent an apartment, it's through UDR or one of its subsidiary companies. This can mean that if you ever need to , you'll be up against UDR's vast legal resources and expertise. It can be hard to navigate this kind of situation.
That's where DoNotPay can really help you out. As long as your damages qualify for small claims court in whatever jurisdiction you're suing in, DoNotPay can help you:
- Generate demand letters
- Inform interested parties of the lawsuit
- Increase your chances of winning your case.
Reasons to File a Lawsuit Against UDR
There are a wide variety of reasons you may want to file a lawsuit against UDR. They may be overcharging you on rent and fees or discriminating against you based on your membership in a protected class. You may have a complaint about a breach of contract. Regardless of the reason you're suing, it's important to have a good idea of what you're doing (and why) before you file the first papers.
| Sue UDR for overcharging rent | This is the most common reason tenants sue their landlords, and UDR is not immune from these allegations. It's also easier to prove damages in cases like this than it is to prove in many other cases, meaning cases of overcharging rent are more likely to succeed in court. |
| Sue UDR for discrimination | If UDR has wronged you in a less tangible way, such as discriminating against you based on a protected class, you may be able to seek restitution in small claims court. These damages can be harder to prove, but it can be done, and you can win up to $10,000 if you win your case. |
| Sue UDR for breach of contract | Your lease is a legally binding contract, and if your landlord (in this case, UDR) hasn't lived up to their end of the contract, you're well within your rights to sue them. |
File a Lawsuit Against UDR by Yourself
Small claims court is designed to function without needing lawyers, which means you can theoretically file a lawsuit entirely by yourself and win. However, when suing a large company like UDR, you're up against their vast legal expertise and experience even when the lawyers are outside the courtroom, so it's critical to have as much as possible lined up from the very beginning. The process of filing a lawsuit on your own varies from court to court, but, in general, it requires:
- Gathering and organizing as much relevant evidence as possible, from witness statements to the actual text of your lease
- Adding up the amount of damages you're owed and sending the defendant a demand letter for that amount
- Identifying the appropriate small claims court to hear your case
- Filling out any forms required by that court
- Serving the defendant notice that you're suing them
- Preparing to meet in front of a judge for your trial
This can be a complex and harrowing process, and going up against a mega-corporation like UDR makes it even harder.
Dangers & Issues With Filing a Lawsuit by Yourself
Representing yourself in court, even small claims court, is never without risk. It's easy to make mistakes that jeopardize your case, especially in a court where no lawyers are present. A large company like UDR knows their way around a court better than you do, for instance, and is more likely to know the ins and outs of your local court system, leaving you vulnerable to errors.
Further reasons it's a bad idea to file a lawsuit completely by yourself are:
- Your case may be dismissed on a technicality, such as missing paperwork
- Your previous interactions with the defendant could prejudice a judge against you
- You could lose and get stuck with the defendant's court costs.
Thankfully, there's a better way to file a lawsuit in small claims court, and you don't need a lawyer to get started.
How to Sue UDR With DoNotPay
The process of suing UDR with DoNotPay is simple and increases your chance of winning by a large margin, simply because DoNotPay helps you with a lot of the procedural steps at the beginning of your case. The more organized and cohesive your case is, the more likely you are to win, and DoNotPay helps you navigate the world of small claims court in a way that makes your case stronger.
All you have to do is:
- Log-in to and select the Sue Now product
- Enter the dollar amount you are owed
- Select whether you want a demand letter or court filing forms
- Describe the reason for the lawsuit and submit any applicable details, including photo proof
That's it! DoNotPay will then generate a demand letter or court filing forms for you. We'll even mail a copy of your demand letter to the individual or business you are suing.
What Else Can DoNotPay Do?
From suing mega insurance companies to settling small claims disputes with Uber, DoNotPay is by your side and ready for action with the click of a button. Need to sue an airline for a canceled flight? Turn to DoNotPay. Did you find out Verizon has been throttling your internet? Take them to court with a few simple clicks. It’s legal justice without the exorbitant fees.