Having a Right to Counsel means you don't need to face your eviction alone!

As you may know, lowincome tenants across Philadelphia can call the Philly Tenant Hotline by calling (267)4432500. Many people who call the hotline qualify for free legal representation, advice, financial counseling, courtroom navigation, training, and more. And everyone can find resources and learn about their rights as a renter at www.PhillyTenant.org.

What you may NOT know is that some renters in Philadelphia now have the right to a free attorney in their eviction hearings, or a Right to Counsel, a new program from the City. If you’re lowincome and live in ZIP codes 19121 or 19139, you can get a FREE LAWYER to represent you in your eviction or housing subsidy termination hearing!

An attorney can answer questions, talk through options, and help you prepare for court. Tenants with representation are more likely to enter into fairer agreements with their landlord and win their cases. They’re twice as likely to get their landlord to make repairs, and are 10 times as likely to request that eviction judgments be cleared from their record after the judgment has been satisfied.

Only 10% of renters show up to eviction hearings with a lawyer, but 80% of landlords do. Legal advice and representation can help make sure you get the best possible outcome in your hearing!

In Philadelphia, lowincome renters living in 19121 or 19139 (parts of West Philly and Strawberry Mansion) are entitled to a free lawyer through Right to Counsel. You can connect to a free lawyer by calling the Philly Tenant Hotline at 2674432500. If you don’t have access to a phone, you can come to Community Legal Services at 1424 Chestnut Street from Monday Thursday, 9:00 AM 12:00 PM to be screened for services.

If you are a lowincome tenant in 19121 or 19139 and you’ve received an eviction notice, call the Philly Tenant Hotline at (267) 4432500 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to give enough time to connect with information and legal representation before court. If you don’t connect with an attorney before court, you still have to attend your court hearing! Let the court know that you live in a Right to Counsel zip code, and ask for a “continuance” so that you can connect with the Philly Tenant Hotline.

If you’re not sure if you qualify, call the Philly Tenant Hotline and someone will be able to help you figure out your rights and options.

For more information on Right To Counsel, visit phila.gov/righttocounsel.