OCU Law tenant rights clinic rebrands amidst Oklahoma's housing crisis

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Oklahoma continues to rank among the highest in the nation for eviction rates.

"There is an inherent power imbalance between landlords and tenants and a lot of times tenants don't know what their rights are," said Victoria Wilson, staff attorney.

Oklahoma City University School of Law says Oklahoma has one of the fastest timelines in the country, renters can find themselves in court just three days after a case is filed.

In Oklahoma county, nearly 70 percent of eviction cases last year ended in default judgments simply because tenants weren't present.

While most landlords have attorneys, only 7 percent of tenants had legal representation.

"They can't afford an attorney if they can't afford their rent," said Jenna Pilcher, clinic director.

That's where the law school's tenant rights clinic steps in to help.

"Our clinic offers legal services pro-bono to anyone in Oklahoma, any tenant in Oklahoma. You do not have to fall below the poverty line to have our services, we also have no citizenship requirements," said Pilcher.

Already this year, more than 225 people have turned to them for support.

The clinic even has a new name, as they recently rebranded.

"We changed to the tenant rights clinic because we want to make it very clear that we are here to support tenants and let them note their rights are and help them exercise their rights, not just evictions," said Wilson.

Law students also play a key role at the clinic.
"You're actually getting real time feedback from the tenants or potential tenants or potential homeless and that's the thing is that you get to actually solve real, real world problems," said Daniel Roodzant, student.

Those at the clinic say it's all about helping one tenant at a time.

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