LCBH client, Aaron, sought out housing support when he found himself in the middle of a housing dispute, where, following the death of his landlord, two parties claimed rightful ownership of his long-time West Side two flat.
Having had a cordial relationship with his late landlord, Aaron had no reason to question when she said her granddaughter would take over after she passed. He paid his rent on time to the granddaughter for several months as he had his entire tenancy, but, when he got a notice to vacate from another member of the family, he decided to seek out expert support.
On paper, Aaron’s case sounded unwinnable and was not a case LCBH could have taken in 2019. Yet, thanks to his fierce advocacy for his housing and LCBH’s increased capacity through RTC, Legal and Policy Director, Michelle Gilbert, could take his case.
“I was very honest and passionate about my situation. I wanted to stay in my unit, and I wanted to pay my rent to the actual owner. I had never missed a rent payment, and I didn’t intend to going forward. I was just ready to continue living without the added stress of this dispute,” Aaron said.
Michelle helped Aaron file several motions in eviction and probate court. After more than a year, they were able to get the eviction dismissed, and Aaron achieved his goal of remaining in his unit, which he hopes to purchase in the future.
“I would’ve tried to represent myself, but I would’ve been up against someone that had an innate advantage in terms of their knowledge base and ability to out-maneuver me. That’s why it’s important to have an agency like LCBH that’s focused on the concerns and needs of tenants. It puts some power back in the hands of the tenant, so we get better outcomes,” Aaron said.