Soon after moving into her rental house, Ms. Christopher, a 27-year-old Atlanta mother, discovered that the plumbing was shot. When it rained, the ceiling got wet and threatened to cave in. Pipes leaked in the kitchen and bathroom. She had no hot water. She was afraid to use the kitchen because of the flooding and was afraid to sleep in the master bedroom because the ceiling was so damaged. The landlord did nothing – except file an eviction.
Matthew Moore of Smith Gambrell & Russell, Ms. Christopher’s attorney, filed an answer and counterclaims for failure to repair. He received expert help from a pro bono FTI consultant who testified about the diminished value of the rental property.
The landlord didn’t bother to show up at the hearing and was surprised to learn that the Court awarded more than $13,000 in damages to Ms. Christopher.