Better Legal Protection Now Available for Columbus Renters

As a renter in the busy Columbus area, you likely already know that housing can be limited and competition can be tight. At Artz, Dewhirst & Wheeler, LLP, we understand that landlords can be less than dependable and sometimes outright aggressive. According to U.S. News & World Report, more than 18,000 evictions were filed in Franklin County in 2018, the highest amount per county in all of Ohio. Unfair and sudden evictions have been a facet of the renting market for years, but an update to city housing laws in Columbus took effect in January with the aim of protecting tenants from unscrupulous landlords.

Advocates for fair housing standards cited numerous cases of unfair evictions made when tenants complained about delayed repairs. According to reports, the standard practice among unprincipled landlords was to evict a tenant upon a complaint, since a home cannot have a repair violation if it is uninhabited. This loophole has essentially been closed by the new law, which forces landlords to provide documentation and solid reasons for evictions now. Tenants who have been unfairly evicted can also face an easier process of reporting corrupt landlords to housing agencies and the city.

Therefore, it could be a good idea for people who are currently dealing with an untrustworthy landlord or are facing eviction for unfair reasons to learn their rights in the city. Even if a person has been evicted as retaliation for making a complaint in the past, they may have recourse to file charges and possibly clear your eviction record. More information about common disputes between landlords and tenants can be found on our webpage.