Santa Monica lawyer Susan Hartley will inaugurate the Santa Monica Tenants’ Rights Clinic on Saturday, September 18, 2010.

She will assist Santa Monica tenants with landlord/tenant questions, provide counseling and advice about existing landlord/tenant problems, and furnish legal assistance referrals.

Running as an independent for a two-year term on the City Council this fall, Hartley said, “I’ve long believed there was a need in Santa Monica for this type of clinic.  Renters tell me over and over again that there is no help for them in Santa Monica.  Santa Monica residents shouldn’t have to go out of town for help.”

The new clinic is modeled after the Coalition for Economic Survival Tenants’ Rights Clinic conducted by Attorney Elena Popp in Plummer Park in West Hollywood every Saturday.

Attorney Hartley has worked as a volunteer there.

Initially, the Clinic will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of five  tenants per session.  Reservations are required.  As the volunteer staff grows, the Clinic will expand to handle more tenants’ questions and issues.

The Tenants’ Rights Clinic will be held the first and third Saturday of each month at the law offices of Susan J. Hartley,  2530 Wilshire Blvd, Third Floor, Santa Monica,

Reservations are required.  A donation of $15-$25 is requested.  No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.

Please call 310/866-8102 to reserve space at the September 18 clinic.

For more info about Hartley, please see: http://hartleyforcouncil.com
susanhartleyforcitycouncil@gmail.com