HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Several factors play into people losing court evictions cases, said advocates at the start of a three-day conference on affordable housing.
Thirty seven percent of tenants (pre-pandemic) default for failing to appear in court, Cecil Thomas with Greater Hartford Legal Aid said.
"And so what that means is they never have a choice to present that defense, to meet with a mediator, to maybe have their day in court before a judge. And then the legal representation rates are also really significant, in the disparity that exists there. Some 80% of landlords have counsel, compared with just 7% of tenants who are represented by attorneys," he said.
Many tenants are unaware of their options, Sylvia Cooper with the Crisis Counselor at Ministerial Health Fellowship Advocacy Coalition said.
"Instead of the tenants going to the landlords and saying I'm in a bind right now can I have a payment arrangement, if the landlord wants to do that. They find themselves getting behind every week until they go to the second month and now they're at the point of eviction. So, it's a lack of education and advocacy. They can respond to the Notice of Quit, to have their day in court," she said.
Advocates said other issues influencing the non-payment of rent include medical emergencies, family disputes, addictions and repairs.
The name of the Affordable Housing Conference is the Roadmap to Recovery.