Posted September 27, 20181:34 pm
CLEVELAND - Some Cleveland tenants are hoping more legal help is on the way that will help them in dealing with problem landlords.
Cleveland resident Tammy Jones told News 5 more tenant assistance is needed as soon as possible, especially when it comes to legal representation for renters in housing court.
Jones said she's been living with a rental house nightmare for months. Jones said she paid $750 for a rental home on Fleet Avenue, only to discover the home was already in foreclosure proceedings.
"We later found out the house is up for foreclosure, the gas gets turned off, and the water gets turned off.
"Then we moved to another place of hers she offered us. Then we find out there are over 34 violations."
Cleveland Councilman Tony Brancatelli told News 5 that Jones is just one in a growing number of victims who are being forced to move out or are being evicted unfairly.
Brancatelli is working with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland in trying to craft a measure that would enact "right to counsel" legislation.
Legal Aid Supervising Attorney Hazel Remesch told News 5 the legislation would appoint an attorney to tenants who are going through an eviction case.