Standing Up and Winning: A Tenant’s Fight for Justice in Louisville

After earning their master’s degree, our client Jordan (not their real name) returned to Louisville ready to start a new chapter. They found an apartment in the Germantown neighborhood and signed a lease with a private landlord. But what should have been a fresh start quickly became a frustrating ordeal.

From the beginning of their tenancy, Jordan encountered serious issues: a broken mailbox, squirrels making a home inside the walls, and repeated plumbing problems. When Jordan reached out for help, they weren't met with understanding or urgency as they expected—but with hostility. Their basic requests for repairs were dismissed or ignored outright.

By the end of their lease, Jordan had had enough. They chose not to renew, and, determined to leave on good terms, they deep-cleaned the apartment themself—scrubbing every surface, even the baseboards. Unfortunately, their efforts weren’t enough to protect them from what came next.

Jordan’s landlord claimed the apartment had been left in poor condition and refused to return their security deposit. Worse, the landlord demanded an additional $1,500 in alleged damages. Our client knew this wasn’t right, disputed the charges, and took the matter to small claims court, hoping for a fair resolution.

But instead of responding reasonably, the landlord—who is also an attorney—escalated the case dramatically. She filed a $60,000 fraud claim against Jordan and moved the case to Jefferson Circuit Court. Despite Jordan’s continued efforts to settle the dispute in good faith, the matter moved forward to a full jury trial.

For three days, the jury listened to the landlord and her daughter (who also acted as property manager) repeat their accusations. Jordan themself endured a grueling three-hour cross-examination. But when the jury retired to deliberate, it took them just two hours—including some time for a nice lunch—to return a unanimous verdict in Jordan’s favor.

Justice prevailed.

The jury saw through the intimidation tactics and sided with Jordan completely. Jordan was overjoyed—not just to recover their security deposit, but because they stood their ground. With KEJC’s help, they were able to push back against an abusive power dynamic and protect their rights.

This case is a reminder of what can happen when tenants fight back—and why legal support matters. At KEJC, we’re proud to stand with Kentuckians who are being treated unfairly by those in power. Everyone deserves a safe, fair place to call home—and the chance to be heard when that right is denied.

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KEJC’s housing justice program is powered by people like you—people who believe that everyone deserves safe housing and fair treatment. Your donation helps us stand up for tenants, challenge abusive practices, and fight for justice in the courtroom and beyond.

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Together, we can build a Kentucky where freedom and justice for all is more than a promise—it’s a reality.