Last Thursday, April 5, the UC Student Senate’s Public Policy Committee hosted a Renter’s Rights Forum in the Main Street Cinema in Tangeman University Center (TUC). Invited speakers at the forum included two representatives from The Legal Aid Society, Dennis Pierre from State Farm, local landlord Douglas Barclay, City Inspector Fred Brown, and Tenant Information Project (TIP) Volunteer Dave Owens.The purpose of the forum was to help UC Students be well informed about their rights prior to renting for the next academic year. Each of the guests briefly spoke about who they were and gave words of advice not only to college students looking to rent in the future, but also to those already in renting situations.
More information is available from several sources. The Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati services Brown, Butler, Clinton, Clermont, Hamilton, Highland and Warren Counties, and they can be reached at 1-800-582-2682.
The Legal Aid representatives brought to the forum several packets of information including: “A Tenants Guide to Escrow,” “Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law: What You Should Know,” and “Need Help Paying Your Utility Bills?” A copy of all three can be found in the Student Government Office in Muntz Hall.
State Farm agent Dennis Pierre can be emailed at Dennis.Pierre.L92G@statefarm.com.
Local Landlord Douglas Barclay can be emailed at Dbarclay@CinciApts.com.
The City of Cincinnati Buildings and Inspections contact information can be found at www.cincinnati-oh.gov/bldginsp/pages/-6533-/.
The Tenant Information Project website is at www.law.uc.edu/tip/ but is currently under construction. They can be reached at 513-556-0053.