As a tenant, you have important rights that can help protect you during disputes with your landlord. If you need to go to Cleveland Housing Court, you can expect a civil component that deals with landlord-tenant issues like evictions, repairs, and rent payments. Housing Court Specialists are also available to provide help and information related to housing concerns in Cleveland.
It's important to note that landlords have rights too, but they must also follow legal procedures and get court orders before evicting tenants. Landlords must also make sure their rental units are safe and habitable, following local housing codes. If your landlord violates these codes, they may face fines or other consequences, and Cleveland Housing Court can handle criminal cases involving housing violations.
To protect yourself and understand your rights as a tenant, consult with a legal professional and stay informed about housing laws and regulations in Cleveland.
Resources
Cleveland Housing Court works closely with a number of partner agencies. Here are a few key organizations that are of particular interest to tenants.
Emergency Rental Assistance
Serving 5 counties and covering 1.5 million people in Ohio, the United Way 2-1-1 Help Center provides free and confidential 24-hour access to a compassionate professional who will review your options for help, develop a plan and act as your advocate if you are faced with barriers to service. Simply dial 2-1-1 or chat with us for assistance. Se habla Espanol.
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
Legal Aid handles cases that impact basic needs such as health, shelter and safety, economics and education, and access to justice. Our attorneys practice in the areas of consumer rights, domestic violence, education, employment, family law, health, housing, foreclosure, immigration, public benefits, utilities, and tax.
United Way
United Way provides invests in programs, services, and agencies to allow tens of thousands of greater Clevelanders the benefit of numerous community initiatives. They dive deep to better understand the causes and issues of poverty that have plagued our community for far too long, dedicating significant time and energy to proactively leading and providing human and support resources for numerous initiatives spanning all segments of our region.
Legal FAQs for Renters in Ohio
This page has local legal information on residential (not commercial) renters’ issues. It is not legal advice, and you should check with your local legal aid and courts for current information.
