tenants' right to counsel In Miami-Dade County

It's time to level the power imbalance between landlords and tenants.

No matter how much money someone has, every tenant deserves to have a fair opportunity to defend themselves in court in order to stay housed.

Every year, between 12-15,000 tenants in Miami-Dade County face an eviction. Only 3% of tenants have access to an attorney, while 98% of all landlords filing the evictions do. In U.S. cities where a Tenant’s Right to Counsel has been passed, most clients who were able to now access legal representation were able to remain in their homes. Right to Counsel has proven to be an effective safeguard against evictions and supports tenants’ right to organize for better conditions. 

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Our Stories

Erica

“Respetan los derechos que los niños vivan dignamente en una hogar.”

Erica was forced out of their home for not paying a $300 rent hike, despite her and her family living with mold and roach infestations for years; conditions neglected by their landlord.

Erica cares for her 10-year-old daughter and 10-month-old granddaughter. At her eviction hearing, where she had to represent herself in court without language interpretation or legal counsel, she lost – without a place for her and her family to go.

Fawn

“The need for legal representation for tenants in Miami-Dade County is extreme. Less than 1% of us can afford to hire an attorney. To solve the housing crisis in Miami, let’s start by stopping all unnecessary evictions.”

Fawn’s abusive landlord physically assaulted her neighbors, cut off her utilities, and threatened her and her neighbors when they exercised their rights. An illegal eviction was filed against her and has yet to be stricken from her record. When tenants don’t have access to free legal counsel, landlords across Miami are able to get away with abusing us, violating our rights, and preventing us from being able to find future housing. 

Partners Supporting Right to Counsel in Miami-Dade