Heading to Trial

At long last, the trial in your case approaches. Your landlord has been worn down and frustrated by all that you have done to this point, and he thinks it will all be over soon. Maybe not.

You will being filing your Answer, and probably requesting a jury trial, raising defenses that the landlord may not be prepared for. You will gather your witnesses and evidence, prepare the papers for trial and head in. Up to now, you have been technically on your own, but you can hire a lawyer to do the trial for you, and really spring a surprise on your landlord. 

Chances are, for all the bluster and sabre-rattling of your landlord up to this point, when he sees what it will cost for him to do trial [$5,000-$15,000], and his poor chances of winning, he will buckle at the last minute. 90% do.  You've called his bluff, he grudgingly admits defeat, and settles the case with you. Otherwise, you have a very interesting experience, since in practical terms, you've already won.