Owning rental property can be a fabulous investment. Being a landlord however, can get complicated. Having legal counsel to help with your initial lease, advise you as to what you can and cannot do, and to assist with regaining possession, unpaid rent and damages when a tenant stops paying, can be the difference between quick resolution of problems versus long drawn-out court battles.

Whether you're buying property at foreclosure auctions or you need help with a non-paying tenant, we can help you quickly get your property vacated so you can get it on the market or get it re-rented.

Step 1: Demand letter.

• To start, we send a notice letter mailed certified to the tenant, stating amounts owed, the breach, details of default and the potential repercussions. Cost: $250* 



Step 2: 5 Day Notice to Pay or Quit.

• This is a statutorily provided for document that must be sent to a tenant prior to filing the lawsuit for eviction (the Unlawful Detainer). It is served by the county sheriff. This is a prerequisite step before we can assist you in evicting your tenant. Cost: $300*



Step 3: Filing the Unlawful Detainer Action.

• This is the actual lawsuit for eviction. We also have it served by the Sheriff. This will set the first return day, where we will appear and either set a date for trial (see Step 3A) or take a default judgment, with immediate possession of the property and judgment. We will then file a Writ of Possession which allows the Sheriff to conduct the eviction. Cost: $800*



Step 3A: The contested return day.

• If the tenant contests the claim and we have to prepare a bill of particulars, prepare for and appear at trial. Cost $1000*

• If we are evicting a homeowner who has been foreclosed upon, we will need a copy of the recorded Deed.
• If we are evicting a tenant, we need a copy of the lease. If the lease provides for attorney fees, we will need the original lease in order to ask for them.

*All fees listed are for standard landlord – tenant cases in Fairfax County and Loudoun County only. Cases with complex fact patterns, commercial cases and cases dealing with property in other Virginia Counties, Maryland or DC are priced differently, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or call (301-801-0532) for pricing.

If you are a tenant and feel like you are being treated unfairly, that your landlord is not abiding by the lease, or you feel you are being unjustly evicted – we can help. Contact The Burger Law Firm today. We will review your lease and other relevant papers and do all we can to help ensure you are treated fairly.