Lobbying Affiliate: MML&K Government Solutions

I’m a landlord with a rental property business that is a separate legal entity. Can I represent my business in court? 

May 27, 2016
Louisville Business First

Businesses entities are formed as a means of limiting an individual’s personal liability, which is generally a wise move in the area of rental properties. One potential downside to this, however, is that landlords and property managers may not, by law, represent their own business interests in court. When a business entity is organized (as in an LLC or LLP) or incorporated (as in a C or S corporation), a separate legal entity is formed. While one may represent oneself in court, one cannot represent another individual or entity unless he or she has a license to practice law.

This prohibition may be easy to forget, especially when dealing with a contentious eviction process or suit by a tenant. This is not to say that some jurisdictions don’t overlook this requirement, but the law in Kentucky is clear – separate entities must have separate counsel.

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