MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis organization is seeking solutions by hosting a free clinic for people needing answers to issues such as civil rights and or housing concerns.
ABC24 has reported week after week Memphians living without working air conditioning or running water. Also, what renter's rights are and how do Tennesseans know if their rights are being violated.
On Saturday, Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc. has their monthly free clinic, which is the second Saturday. The company's CEO, Nicole Grida, said they help on average between 50 and 100 people during this event.
Grida told ABC24 some cases that they pick up from this event do end up in trial.
Lisa Turner was on the individual's needing answers on whether her rights were violated by her Midtown leasing management.
"I work too hard, so I just wanted to be treated fair and I wanted to know where do I stand as a resident," Turner said.
Turner said the attorney she spoke with suggested writing a letter and he'll follow up with her at a later date. She told ABC24 she was being overcharged on her rent which included multiple service fees.
"I'm being charged more than what I am supposed to pay legally by my lease agreement," she said.
Grida said many people are not aware of their renter's rights. She said some of those rights include documenting any issues with your landlord and making sure you follow up about the problem. Grida said their goals is to provide guidance for anyone's issues moving forward.
"We absolutely take cases to trial when necessary. Often times our first line of defense is just to reach out to the landlord or the management company and let them know what they are doing is not proper under the law," she said. "See if we can work something out with them."
Tammy Howard, who also attended Saturday's event has been having trouble getting her name on her Midtown apartment utility bill. She believes her leasing apartment agent is overcharging her based on two bills she received for the same date
"I love where I live, I don't want any problems, I just want my utility bill in my name and pay what I'm supposed to instead of being sent an invoice," Howard said.
Howard told ABC24 the lawyer she spoke to said they are going to write a letter to her leasing agent.
"It was good to come here and they went no this is your rights, it's in the lease," she said.
Grida said the Memphis Fair Housing Center will host an event Tuesday, July 16 from 3pm to 5pm at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library.