It’s not uncommon to see headlines about local apartment complexes with significant conditions issues. From mold, pests and crumbling plaster to doors and windows that don’t lock, these situations can be detrimental to renters’ health and safety.
Tenants are often unaware that Ohio law allows them to put their rent in escrow with their local court to compel their landlords to address problem properties. Community Legal Aid is trying to change that by offering education and self-help materials, which have been supported by a grant from the Akron Community Foundation.
The effort culminated in a half-day training on July 28 in Akron. More than 40 people, from attorneys and court officials to elected officials and social service providers, attended and heard from Community Legal Aid staff attorneys and local clerks who oversee rent escrow in their jurisdictions.
Magistrate Scott Newman, of Akron Municipal Court, was among the speakers. But he also stayed to hear the presentations following his.
“The training was very informative,” he said. “It was nice to see so many lawyers interested in representing tenants and helping them through the escrow process – lawyers who can provide the assistance necessary to ensure tenants’ health and safety concerns are being addressed.”
Newman presented with Russ Hunt, Deputy Clerk of the Civil Division in Stow Municipal Court. The agenda also included Sarah LavenderNees, Education & Outreach Director, Fair Housing Contact Service; Duane Groeger, R.E.H.S., B.A. City of Akron, Code Compliance Commissioner in the Code Compliance Division; and Gino Hayes, Deputy Director of Canton For All People, an Akron native who shared more about the organization’s housing initiatives in Canton.