How to protect your rights when dealing with the Atlanta Housing Authority

1. Make sure you understand anything you are asked to sign:

Illiteracy - if you cannot read please make sure to get someone that you TRUST to read out loud to you what you are signing. It is your duty, NOT the landlord's duty to make sure you understand what the lease or any amendment is saying

Confusion - if you are confused please get someone that you TRUST
to explain the lease or any other document to you.

Remember - it is OK to take the document or lease with you to get advice
before you sign it.

2. Ask plenty of questions.

3. Get all statements made by personnel that are contrary to the lease or any
documents you are asked to sign in writing;

DO NOT rely on what an employee tells you if you do not have it in writing. Remember it doesn't matter what they say; it matters what you are SIGNING!

4. Keep a good record of your transactions and interactions with your leasing office.

Example - if you consistently have paid your rent late, and the leasing office has never had a problem with it, make sure that you keep a record of that so that the landlord will not be able to evict you, suddenly, for late payment.

5. Do not take any offer given just because it sounds good; make sure you understand the
terms of the offer and seek legal advice if possible.

6. If you get a demand letter or an eviction notice please contact immediately
one of the following:

Atlanta Legal Aid Society at (404) 524-5811

Georgia Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty at (404) 681-0680

The Task Force for the Homeless has setup a hotline number (404) 230-5018 x166 for those who have been evicted or who are facing eviction from public housing in Atlanta. We're fighting to save public housing and we need your stories. Please call our hotline number and we'll setup an interview.