Service Overview

Eviction Defense

SJLS can assist tenants with eviction actions filed in Superior Court.  Eviction defense can include non-payment of rent issues but also “cause” evictions such as rule violations and breach of lease, etc.  SJLS can provide services including advice up to in-court representation depending on the facts of your case.

Habitability Issues

SJLS can provide assistance from advising tenants how to get landlords to make repairs to rental properties to filing a case against a landlord to force them to make repairs.

Warrants of Removal and Lockouts

SJLS may be able to assist in these matters depending on the facts of your case.

Illegal Lockouts

Tenants should call SJLS right away if their landlord locks them out without going to court first (court process) or does things such as turn off the water or heat to the property to force the tenant to leave.  This may include residents of hotels or motels depending on how long you’ve been living there amongst other factors.

Denial or Termination of Subsidized Housing including Section 8 Vouchers

SJLS can investigate cases of denial or termination of subsidized housing benefits and may provide extended representation at administrative hearings.

Tenant Organizations

Resident Organizations, Affordable Housing, and Related Community Issues – our Housing Preservation and Community Development Coordinator can assist residents and resident groups with organizational issues and in dealing with problems such as lack of repairs to apartment buildings, loss of affordable housing, displacement/being forced to move out of a community, neighborhood planning, and related community concerns.

Housing Discrimination

 SJLS can provide assistance in cases involving denial of rental housing due to Section 8 payment, discrimination against disabled tenants and other housing discrimination matters.

Other Housing Issues

SJLS can provide advice and/or representation in housing cases involving lease disputes, rent increases, security deposit issues, notices to cease or quit and other issues.  We cannot provide services in disputes between tenants.