Tenant Physically Agressive To Landlord (please advice)

[Lena S.]

Hello, 

My husband and I are landlord of 4 unit property.

Today, I ( I’m a woman) went to my tenant who has no lease with us but leave there for about 5 years. She wasn’t perfect tenant but let’s say just acceptable. However, events changed and I went there to give her notice to leave  in 30 days, she didn’t let me in her appartment so I handle it her this note and told her I take and I took picture as a proof. That moment she grabbed me inside her apartment and started to shook me, twisting my wrist, pull my hairs etc. just to get my phone. When she successfully took my phone she pull me out of her appartment but in the last moment I grabbed her phone and hold it down the balcony. She yelled bad words on me, she slapped my face and then get her phone back and called police (which I was thankful, my phone was inside her appartment), police came in 3 min. all what I did was I secured her doors with my hand so we were both outside when police came. I have to add  i just defend myself from her attacking me that all. 

If anyone had similar situation please let me know what should I do next. I want to avoid all the courts, I don’t want her money, and I am not planning to go to doctors with my scratches etc. we just don’t want her as our tenant and that will satisfy us enough.

[Kenny Dahill]

@Lena S., sorry to hear and best to always be safe.  People in general may react aggressively in tense situations.

You'll want to research your state Landlord Tenant laws.  Illinois Law 756 ILCS 750.  This is their domestic violence code.  In most states, you can terminate a lease agreement if the tenant has abused their fellow tenants, other tenants on the property and landlord/manager.  There might be requirements to do so, such as filing a restraining order or police claim.

At this point, you have to be careful of retaliation claims. Hiring a lawyer might be your best move right now, for multiple reasons.  First and most important, for your own protection.