Zulaika

Housing and Family Law Client

One day my landlord told me that she was selling the building. When the new owners came, they said my kids and I had to leave. They wanted to kick me out of my own home. I was lost on what to do: I didn’t want to move, but I didn’t want an eviction on my record, especially when I had done nothing wrong.

As a child, I never had a place to call home. My mom was on drugs and we were constantly moving around. After some time being homeless my two children and I ended up renting a house in Bayview.

One day my landlord told me that she was selling the building. When the new owners came, they said my kids and I had to leave. They wanted to kick me out of my own home. I was lost on what to do: I didn’t want to move, but I didn’t want an eviction on my record, especially when I had done nothing wrong.

I knew I had rights, but I didn’t know how to do something about it. I tried to get help but it didn’t work– it felt hopeless. Luckily, I was referred to Open Door Legal. They took my case and immediately started working on it.

Open Door Legal helped me get $35,000 from the new owners and extend my time in my house so that I could look for a new place. My attorney kept in touch with me every step of the way. It was A1 service.

I had such a positive experience at Open Door Legal that I ended up coming back again for a child custody issue. They helped get me full custody on the day before my birthday. That was the best birthday present I could have asked for. Today, life is still crazy – but now that I have stable housing, these problems feel much more manageable.

Photography © Dale Tan