03/28/2026
LET'S TALK ABOUT TIMELINES/APARTMENT JOURNAL'S........
*This information is not intended as legal advice, but an opinion of mine that I have garnered from helping tenants over the past 19 years who have had to represent themselves Pro Se or was able to find legal assistance (your lawyer will appreciate this).
*Keeping a Journal of all apartment issues as they occur can quickly become your timeline when needed without you having to try and remember everything when needed.
*Your timeline can make or break your case from what I have seen.
*I have heard judges say if you are willing to write the date and time and keep this list, I am willing to look at it.
*You can start now if you do not keep a journal yet.
*When you move you should always start with a new Log/Journal.
*I have seen how hard it can be for people to remember everything they need to because so much time passed or so much happened it all blends together. It is amazing how much can be forgotten over time and during a stressful time such as an eviction, anything you can do to help yourself, you will appreciate.
*A simple trick to keep photo evidence is to email it to yourself. In the subject line write Journal (or whatever code word you chose to use with every email) and the Subject of the pic (ie: ceiling leak, missing spindles front stairs) Example: Apt Journal - Ceiling Leak - 3rd time (include date of pic if sending old pics and not from that day, remember these dates and details will be important). You are able then to pull up these pictures where ever you are or need them and helps you not lose them over time.
HOW DO I ADVISE MY TENANTS TO CREATE THEIR TIMELINE?
1-Start with when you moved in or as I say, when things were good.
2-Keep it in a central location you can always easily find it so that you do not miss jotting anything down (ie: Kitchen drawer or Livingroom bookshelf).
3-Keep it short simple and sweet, anything you need to elaborate on should be cited with a corresponding number/letter in a separate section of the journal/log. Basically the list should look like a table of contents/chapters of a book and when others need to read in depth they can easily find where you elaborated.
4-Details matter, when possible write down names, numbers and any details associated.