Hi all, I am new to posting but I had found this forum very helpful in the past. Thank you!
I got a petition and notice of non-payment on Fri and the postcard on Sat, and also have a slip from the USPS about a certified letter. Neither my wife nor I got anything in person, no other adults live with us, and nothing was on our door.
The notice mentions that we owe 2 months (Dec and Jan) which is correct except I had happened to have mailed two checks for a month's rent each, Fri and Sat night. So I have paid, but they haven't been received. The petition also mentions legal fees and court costs but has no numbers.
Reading about this situation I did a few things that might not have been smart. (1) I emailed the landlord (the owner and the main guy in the leasing dept) that I don't contest the amount owed, and that I sent the check, and they should get back to me ASAP about an agreement which accepts that so that we can end this. I did not mention anything about court costs or legal fees. (2) then in a paranoid way I thought "I can't prove I sent checks!" So I stopped payment on the checks and issued a new check through my bank for the 2 months' rent which should arrive 1/29. Then (3) I emailed the same landlord telling them about the checks.
So my main questions. I am going to housing court tomorrow and my plan is to file an Answer with 2 defenses: I wasn't served the notice/petition properly and I already paid. Is that what I should do?
Also, how else do I notify the landlord about the stopped checks? I don't want to get in trouble if they try to deposit them and they are blocked. I intend to call them tomorrow to explain.