Renters' Rights

Memphis Area Legal Services and the Memphis Fair Housing Center provide a workshop at MCIL

By Timothy Redd
There is always something new and exciting happening at MCIL. On Thursday, September 8, 2016. Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS) Phillip Oliphant, the Director of Advocacy and Jean Holbert, staff attorney presented at our Housing Workshop.  

Memphis Area Legal Services has taken action in many fair housing discrimination issues affecting African Americans.   There has been an increase in housing discrimination practices against people with disabilities, according to Oliphant. Some of the key areas addressed in this workshop were renters’ versus landlord rights.  Other areas that concern people with disabilities is how to properly advocate and document your accessibility needs and what to do when you request is denied. 

IL Specialists encounter issues with housing on a daily bases. This workshop was designed to address the concerns of renters.  

Mr. Oliphant offered several tips that will help renters avoid some common mistakes.  Some mistakes renters run into may include: failure to pay rent on time and not getting a receipt of payment, not keeping copies or dating all correspondence with landlord, not notifying landlord in writing when a repair issue arises, moving into an apartment that is not in move in condition, not reading and keeping a copy of the lease, and not seeking legal advice when facing eviction or other legal issues.  

If you, or someone you know has been the victim of housing discrimination or facing eviction please call the Memphis Fair Housing Center.  Located at 22 North Front Street 901-432-4632.