A renter with black mold in her apartment making her sick. A woman whose property managers threw away belongings in her garage, including precious family photos. A single mom in a house with faulty wiring. A family of four facing eviction due to financial hardship.
These are all real examples of Memphians facing serious problems with their rental homes. When tenants and landlords can’t resolve disagreements over things like repairs, home conditions or unpaid rent, their next step is often to go to court.
But while landlords typically employ lawyers to advocate on their behalf, many Memphians can’t afford to hire their own legal representation.
That’s where Memphis’ legal aid groups come in. The following programs can offer legal advice and representation to tenants for free, or at a reduced rate based on their income.
Memphis Area Legal Services
Memphis Area Legal Services can assist with cases involving evictions, rental units in poor condition or issues with government-subsidized housing such as Section 8 units. They also take cases involving discrimination against renters based on protected characteristics like race, gender, family status or disability.
While MALS provides legal representation at no cost, clients are asked to pay for court costs, such as filing fees, discovery fees and the cost of medical exams or obtaining medical records.
Renters can contact the group to apply for assistance by calling its general number at 901-523-8822 or its housing division at 901-432-4663. The group’s Memphis office is located downtown at 200 Jefferson Ave., Suite 1075. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Memphis Public Interest Law Center
The Memphis Public Interest Law Center is a law firm that exclusively works with Shelby County renters on issues related to their housing. Renters with questions about their rights can call the group’s hotline at 833-773-6837 or email info@mpilc.org.
In order to be connected with an attorney, renters should call the hotline number or fill out the contact form on the group’s website. They will then receive an intake form they must fill out in order to be connected with a lawyer. The lawyer will likely request the following documents:
- A copy of their lease — a digital copy is ideal, but a scan or a clear, well-lit photo is also accepted.
- Any paperwork related to a potential eviction, such as an eviction notice and any letters from the landlord or their attorney.
- Any proof of requests for repairs to the unit, like text messages or screenshots of the online repair portal, if they are seeking help related to repairs.
It may take several weeks to be matched with an attorney, so renters facing eviction should reach out as soon as possible. MPILC’s legal services are free, but clients may be asked to pay filing fees and other court costs.
West Tennessee Legal Services
West Tennessee Legal Services provides free legal advice and representation, including with housing issues like evictions, fair housing and landlord-tenant problems. The group also assists homeowners facing foreclosure.
Memphians can apply for legal help through the group’s online application form, in person at 1407 Union Ave., Suite 1100, or by calling 800-372-8346, ext. 1250, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Prospective clients with time-sensitive issues, like upcoming court dates or deadlines, should call.
Community Legal Center
The Community Legal Center provides low-cost legal services to residents who make between 125% and around 300% of the federal poverty level. In 2026, that’s an annual household income between $41,250 and $99,000 for a family of four. Clients with incomes below this threshold are referred to Memphis Area Legal Services for free legal help. CLC uses a sliding scale based on household income to determine what clients are charged.
The CLC handles landlord-tenant disputes and other types of civil cases. Its office is located at 80 Monroe Ave., Suite 415 in Memphis. Prospective clients can call the center at 901-543-3395 and leave a message, or fill out its online client screening survey.
Groups that don’t provide direct legal representation
Memphis is also home to other groups that renters can reach out to about housing challenges, although they generally don’t offer legal advice on specific cases.
The Fair Housing Council of Metropolitan Memphis investigates discrimination against renters based on protected characteristics like race, religion, gender and disability. This group doesn’t offer direct assistance to every renter facing these issues, but it has helped some clients secure disability accommodations from their landlords. Broadly, the group looks into allegations of discrimination to determine whether landlords are violating federal housing law.
To report suspected discrimination, renters can call 901-538-7700, fill out the group’s online form or visit the FHCMM offices at 3355 Poplar Ave., Suite 112. They have the option to remain anonymous, and their report will not be shared with their landlord or property manager.
The Memphis Tenants’ Union organizes renters in buildings and apartment complexes where multiple tenants are dealing with similar issues. These can include maintenance problems, unjust evictions or other disputes with their landlord or property manager.
Currently, the group only offers direct legal support to tenants facing eviction in unionized buildings. Renters interested in organizing with their neighbors can reach out to the MTU by texting 901-249-0650 or emailing memphistenantsunion@gmail.com.
Seniors aged 60 and older can also get free legal advice on civil matters, including landlord/tenant issues, through the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services by calling 844-435-7486.
Did we miss a resource that has helped you with a landlord-tenant dispute? Let the author of this piece know by emailing natalie.wallington@mlk50.com.
Natalie Wallington is the housing reporter for MLK50: Justice Through Journalism. Email her at natalie.wallington@mlk50.com.
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