When Jay moved into his new apartment, he expected a safe place to call home. Instead, he faced serious repair issues that made the unit unlivable. After notifying his landlord, paying rent through his move-out date, completing a walkthrough, and even receiving his security deposit back, Jay thought the matter was behind him.
But two months later, his former landlord filed a dispossessory case against him, falsely claiming unpaid rent.
That’s when Jay turned to AVLF’s Housing Court Assistance Center (HCAC) for help. With our team’s support, Jay filed an Answer and attached proof that he owed nothing—along with documentation of his lease termination and the landlord’s own ledger showing a $0 balance. Together, we also filed a counterclaim for over $10,000, citing constructive eviction, retaliation, and failure to repair.
HCAC staff walked alongside Jay every step of the way, helping him prepare for his day in court. On August 21, 2025, Jay’s persistence paid off: the court awarded him the full amount— including over $3,500 for diminished value and more than $6,500 in liquidated damages.
What began as an attempt to wrongfully charge him rent ended with justice—and a powerful reminder that safe, stable housing is worth fighting for.