HELP IS HERE!
FREE LEGAL HELP IS YOUR RIGHT.
If you need immediate shelter, please call:
CAM Detroit: (313) 305-0311
Get Help Before You Go To Court
DETROIT HOUSING HELPLINE (866) 313 2520
or contact the United Community Housing Coalition main office at (313) 963-3310
If you have a disability, contact the 36th District Court and request an accommodation at (313) 965-5232 or online at 36thdistrictcourt.org
Get Help When You Go To Court
The Detroit Right To Counsel Ordinance is the law and provides low-income Detroiters with a right to free legal representation, so always ask to speak to a FREE lawyer at the beginning of your eviction hearing & before you say anything about your case!
Connect with free legal aid.
Please send us a note here only if you are unable to get through to the phone hotline numbers listed above. We will do our best to refer you to a relevant agency to support your needs.
FAQs
How do I know what my rights are as a Tenant?
Please look into the in-depth resources for Tenant Rights and Responsibilities at this link:
MICHIGAN LEGAL HELP for TENANTS https://michiganlegalhelp.org/resources/housing/tenant-rights-and-responsibilities-0
What do I need for my hearing on Zoom?
If you have never used Zoom, or if it has been a while, try a Test Zoom meeting before your hearing. You can view beginner's videos at https://learn-zoom.us/show-me. Log on to the Zoom meeting with the information listed on your court notice.
When the judge calls your case, you will be informed about your right to legal representation and asked if you would like to speak to a free lawyer in the virtual breakout room. Say "Yes" if you don't already have a lawyer representing you. If you are not asked if you want a lawyer, politely let the judge know that you would like to speak to a free legal services lawyer about your case.
What are my responsibilities as a Landlord?
Please look into the in-depth resources for Landlord Rights and Responsibilities at this link:
MICHIGAN LEGAL HELP for LANDLORDS https://michiganlegalhelp.org/resources/housing/landlord-rights-and-responsibilities-0
What do I do when I arrive for my court hearing?
Check in at your assigned courtroom and let the courtroom staff know you are here for your hearing. This is important so a default judgment will not be automatically entered against you.
Ask to go to Room 417 (4th Floor) or Room 5A (5th Floor) to speak to a FREE lawyer.
What if I’m getting evicted from my mobile home?
Please explore all the in-depth types of evictions (mobile home, subsidized and non-subsidized housing, foreclosures, lockouts and illegal evictions) and learn to navigate it at this link: MICHIGAN LEGAL AID EVICTION INFO https://michiganlegalhelp.org/resources/eviction
What documentation can help my court case?
Complaint, summons, notice to quit, or demand for possession, and any other court papers you’ve received
Lease, land contract, or other documents setting forth your tenancy/purchase agreement.
If your housing qualifies as Section 8, you’ll need recertification documents that indicate the tenant’s monthly payment amount, move-out packet, or any other documents from Section 8 concerning the property
Receipts for rent (including money-order stubs or bank deposit receipts)
Receipts for any repairs made
Correction order from the City of Detroit Building and Safety Division (BSEED) if you have one
Photographs of any repair issues
Utility bills and receipts for payments if they’re part of your case
Any other papers concerning the property .
“Because justice for some is not justice for all”
— Lakeshore Legal Aid