It’s common for attorneys representing landlords in eviction cases to charge attorney fees. It’s also common for the tenant to foot the bill, on top of late fees and back rent owed.
Sometimes, attorney fees are a flat rate, while other times they’re a percentage of the total amount owed, said Phil Storey, attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center.
The practice turns predatory when attorneys charge hundreds, sometimes $1,000, for a case that requires little effort and time in court, he said…