February Pursuing Justice Newsletter
Reimagining Rent Escrow: LASCO’s Clinic Makes the Process Clearer
LASCO’s monthly Rent Escrow Brief Advice Clinic is reshaping how tenants access and understand one of the strongest—but often misunderstood—tools available to enforce safe living conditions. Held at the Franklin County Municipal Court, the clinic provides in-person support where tenants are already navigating the process and helps prevent mistakes that can derail an escrow case before it begins.
The clinic challenges the misconception that tenants with repair problems should “just move,” said Melissa Lenz, supervising housing attorney. “People love their neighbors, their schools, their routines. They’re not trying to uproot their lives,” said Lenz, who started the clinic last year. LASCO recognizes that many tenants want safe housing right where they are, she said, and that reality shapes the clinic’s work.
In a tight housing market, rent escrow is a crucial accountability tool, and sometimes the only leverage tenants have when repairs aren’t being made. For LASCO, the goal is simple: make the process accessible and accurate.
“Rent escrow has nothing to do with asking for luxuries. It’s about dignified, livable housing and giving tenants a voice when the essentials aren’t being met,” she said.
To date, the clinic has helped more than 50 tenants. In the process, the clinic has strengthened partnerships with the rent escrow clerks, ensuring a smoother referral process and better support for tenants navigating the system. These connections “make this work possible,” Lenz said.
The clinic has also experienced some unexpected results.
“It is surprising just how often we’re telling people not to file escrow cases,” said Lenz. “Yet that’s a success story because it means we’re saving people time and unnecessary court involvement but still helping them address their issues.” In many instances, tenants simply need guidance to understand what steps they have to take before starting an escrow case.
LASCO encourages tenants with questions about the rent escrow process to attend the next brief advice clinic on March 2nd from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the 3rd floor of the Franklin County Municipal Court.
