I created two binders of information for use in our case. The first binder I suggest you create is one that contains all of your “originals” – pictured below. Buy a 3-hole punch, a 3-ring binder, and some dividers, and start organizing all of your information. This first binder isn’t for the judge, but for you. Here are some items you may wind up filing into this first binder:

• Letters you wrote to your landlord
• Letters your landlord wrote to you
• Expenses related to preparing for court
• Letters you wrote to current and former tenants
• Letters from former tenants
• Your state’s landlord tenant law
• Emails from prospective applicants
• Applications from prospective tenants
• Statements from witnesses
• Your lease agreement
• Court papers
• Attorney information
• Cleaning receipts
• Legal research
• Notes

The second binder is the presentation folder. This is the binder that you’ll create for the judge, and/or your attorney and your records. You will photocopy the documents out of the first binder for your presentation folder, so that you always have the originals. If you don’t have enough time to gather your evidence before the court date, file for an extension, which is what we did.