Cases dropped, granted extensions in first round of Lake Arbor eviction trials

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Lake Arbor families went to court Tuesday, marking the beginning of the eviction trials for nine families from the west Charlotte apartment complex.

There will be 29 more tenants who will face a judge and the landlord over the next week.

In the first round of eviction trials Tuesday, lawyers for the property dropped a handful of cases after some tenants already moved out. The majority of cases were granted continuances, allowing tenants an additional two weeks to find a new place to live.

"Nobody signed up for this," resident Anthony Caldwell said. "Us finding somewhere in two weeks, I don't see it happening."

[READ MORE: Residents forced to move so apartment complex can make improvements]

Caldwell said he is fed up and that the extension is another temporary fix. He said housing options are limited and resources to help aren't coming in fast enough.

Legal Aid attorney Isaac Sturgill said attorneys with Legal Aid will be at the courthouse each day a Lake Arbor tenant is scheduled for an eviction hearing.

"It can be overwhelming and eviction court can be a stressful place if you have never been or are not used to it," Sturgill said.

The residents will have the opportunity to be screened on the spot and offered representation if they qualify. Of the 30,000 eviction cases that are in North Carolina each year, landlords overwhelmingly have representation but tenants do not.

"A lot of landlords, when they look back at your court records, if they see an eviction, that may make them not want to rent to you, or they may charge you more because they see you as a risk," Sturgill said.

Lake Arbor has had no shortage of issues.

Residents have complained of mold, rats and other horrible living conditions. The landlord is forcing everyone out by the end of the year to make repairs.

Depending on the circumstances, attorneys can help residents delay or halt the process. In some cases, there can be financial compensation.

The goal for Sturgill and Legal Aid is to help Lake Arbor tenants.

"I think the community, in general, is very concerned about Lake Arbor," Sturgill said.

Sturgill said tenants often have minimal notice about eviction hearings. If a resident misses their scheduled trial, they have 10 days to appeal and ask for a new date.

An $800,000 appropriation from the Mecklenburg County Commission from the last budget allows Legal Aid to offer its services to Lake Arbor and other eligible residents.

Hearings for the Lake Arbor residents will continue next Tuesday. It is likely the lawyers for the complex will ask for continuances on many of the cases.

Cox Media Group