Going to Court for Rent - PLEASE HELP ME understand?

Ok, so I am in my first apartment. I had some hard times and am 2 months behind in rent. I already called the rental office and made arrangements but I received a letter from the Sheriff's Office saying I need to come to court. I called the rental office back and told them the arrangements AGAIN and told them that I had received that information from the Sheriff. She said that I have to go to court and tell them the same thing I told her or make other arrangements. What I am not understanding is why do I have to go to court?? Do I have to go to court?? I already clarified with the rental office and put it in writing that the balance will be paid in full within 3 weeks but I just don't understand why I have to go to court. Are they going to put me out? What will happen if I don't go to court but still go according to my arrangements? Somebody please help me and if you need more information please ask and I will do my best to update the question. I live in Landover, Maryland - PG County.

Mary B, dont misunderstand what i am saying! The rental office verbally agreed but I will now be getting it in writing. I'M NOT FOOLISH and there wasnt enough room to go into WHY I feel behind in rent! I just finished a nast custody and divorce battle amongst other things so the last thing I want to do is be immature about not paying rent. Be careful to prejudge people before making such a final statement such as yours. I'm not foolish and have every plan to follow my obligation. This is my first time in this predicament and was hoping to get some mature answers and advice. Thank you for yours but all yours did was insult me. But I'm bigger then that to let it bother me I just wanted to reply back for those that came back to re-read my question or for those that will answer based on your position. I HAVE NO INTENTIONS ON PLAYING GAMES! I plan on paying rent as I mention before within 3 weeks. Just need some good advice on something I didn't quiet understand. Thank you!

I recommend that you contact an attorney who specializes in landlord tenant law immediately.

Just from the information that you have given me in your question it appears to me that yes, you do have to go to court and yes they could put you out.

If they were not seriously considering putting you out, I doubt that they would have gone to the trouble and expense of taking you to court.

If you want to have any chance at all of staying in your apartment I recommend that you talk to an attorney today.

Do what the rental office asks you to do. It will show them you are being compliant. Tell them in court the same thing you told the rental office. The rental office is acting as they are supposed to with your non-payment of rent. They are doing the legal thing.

The reason the rental office went to court is that they need to show proof ( a legal standpoint here) that they went through the proper channels to have you removed from your apartment if you don't pay your rent. If you don't live up to your arrangement they will then be able to force you out immediately versus taking the time to go to court then. The best advice is go to court, explain the arrangement to them (also bring proof of this arrangement and that the rental agency has agreed), and then make sure you live up to the arrangement. If not you can be removed within 48 hours of the arrangement not being fulfilled.

In court, you will be required to present, under oath , evidence that you are presently not making enough money to pay your rent but will have it soon. Its a formality. Not turning up in court , however, is contempt and will get you not only kicked out, but charged with contempt of court.

Yes you should go to court and explain the situation and the arrangements that you made with the rental office. Make sure you have the name, date and time that you spoke with that person. If possible maybe even get it is writing.
This way the judge will know you are trying to work with the Rental office. You may have to pay court fees and for the paperwork of the rental office for sending in the notice on you.
If you do not show it is like saying you do not care what happens.
Just go to the court date and be honest even if you have paid the money that you owed before the date.
Good Luck and God Bless.

You are being sued for not paying rent. Unfortunately, when you signed your lease agreement it states that if you fail to come up with the money for rent on the date assigned, you are subject to legal action. Make sure you show up.

David H said it perfectly (see above) and definitely go to court if you received notice. If not, in some states (depending on the action being taken against you) you can be held in "contempt of court", which is a very serious offence.

As David said, take proof of your agreement to court (signed by both parties) and, by all means, don't break your agreement.

Good luck.

Nowhere in your post does it say that the apartment AGREED to the arrangement that YOU came up with.

You have to go to court b/c you are behind and they don't feel that you'll be able to catch up.

If they are insisting that you go to court anyway (and they are LYING to you if they act like they can't control the process..they can stop it anytime they wish), then they are persuing an eviction, and you need to be prepared to leave.

If you don't go to court an eviction will be issued and may damage your credit to where you can't get another apartment--don't be foolish and face your financial obligations like an adult.

the rental office is not foolish either they will not take your word for it and cancel the eviction, if you have not paid by the time you go to court and landlord calls court to let them know they you had better show up
and even if you pay in some states the eviction can move forward if landlord is asking for rent and possession of property.

You are in the process of being evicted due to non-payment of rent.

You must go to court - failure to do so will lead to a default eviction judgment against you.

You can make all the arrangements with the rental office that you wish, however, they have to cover themselves and begin the legal process.

From you post, it seems like you got an eviction notice. Without a notice to vacate the property (usually 30 days depending on what your lease says), you cannot be made to leave. Go ahead and go to court. Being a no show will not look good to the judge. When you go be prepared to explain why you got behind and what your plans are to get caught up.(such as when your paydays are and how much you are putting toward you past due rent and on what dates your landlord will recieve payment.) Be sure to document that there was a verbal agreement between you and your landlord concerning this issue. Date and time and who you spoke with. Write down every word that was said. People get behind on bills sometimes, that is just a fact of life (Mary B), if you are prepared for court an well organized, I believe the judge will want your landlord to hold up their end of the agreement. If you have lived there for a very long period, You should bring rent reciepts with you showing that you have a history of paying rent on time.