Multi-Family Management, Inc. v. Hancock

This case began when the landlord, MultiFamily Management Inc., sued the tenant, Robert Hancock, for possession of Hancock’s apartment based on failure to pay rent. The trial court entered a protective order requiring Hancock to pay his rent into the court registry each month “during the pendency of this case.” Hancock filed an answer and counterclaim, alleging housing code violations in the apartment and in common areas of the building. The trial judge found there were code violations and accordingly ordered rent abatements. Pursuant to a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract1 between…