City: New Dayton court policy supports eviction fairness

Dayton Municipal Clerk of Court Mark Owens has announced a new policy related to eviction cases.

Online searches of eviction-related court records will be limited to the past three years of an individual’s eviction history (online eviction records stretching as far back as the 1990s had previously been available). Records older than three years may now be requested through the Clerk of Court’s office.

“The intention of the change in our online searches is to reduce barriers for anyone trying to secure reliable housing,” said Owens. “An eviction search often does not tell a complete story, especially when using information from more than three years ago.”

The Dayton Municipal Clerk of Court is joining the Franklin County Municipal Court in limiting the availability of online history of eviction records. Owens is also researching the potential of introducing a program that will allow individuals to expunge specific eviction cases. More information about this program will be available in the coming months.

Despite these measures, preventing potential barriers to housing by avoiding eviction is still the best option. Safe, permanent housing has never been more important as people try to effectively manage the risk of exposure during the current pandemic.

If you or someone you know is at risk of eviction, contact the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area by calling 211. If you have an eviction hearing scheduled, you may call the Community Action Partnership’s legal clinic at 937341-5000, ext. 904, and leave a message including the hearing date. You may also contact Legal Aid at 937-228-8088.