Tenant Speaks Out Against Landlord for Unsafe Living Conditions at Conway Complex
A Conway tenant, Kimberly Gulutzo, recently spoke out against her landlord, Saxion, after What she described as months of living in unsafe and uninhabitable conditions.
For six years, Gulutzo resided at The Nest apartments without any issues. However, around a year ago, she started experiencing plumbing problems. Specifically, she claimed that leaks from the upstairs neighbor’s plumbing caused significant water damage to her unit. The situation escalated when the water heater busted, leaving her without hot water for two entire months.
“This is not safe, this is hazardous and could cause a fire,” Gulutzo emphasized. “You cannot be here, why are you still here. The first night, the water heater busts. They leave us there for two whole months with no hot water heater from October to November, would not answer the phone and would not call me back.”
Eventually, code enforcement was called in. Despite efforts to resolve the issue, black mold continued to appear in her apartment. Gulutzo endured months of health problems due to the poor air quality in her home. About a month ago, her landlord finally moved her and her son into a hotel for two weeks, claiming it was fixed and ready to move back in.
However, the nightmare continued at her return. Gulutzo reported immediate health issues, including a closed throat and watery eyes. “It is not safe for anybody just being in there for a few hours was enough and I do not wish that on anybody,” she said.
Despite her efforts to resolve the issue, she was issued a 30-day notice to vacate her apartment. Gulutzo was perplexed by the situation, pointing out that her rent was always paid on time. “Who is in violation of her lease? My rent is paid,” she asked.
The owner of The Nest apartments issued a statement indicating cooperation with the city regarding the mold issues. The city began working with the property owner to remedy the situation with a mold specialist to test and address the problem.
Gulutzo’s decision to speak out was driven by her family’s health complications, highlighting a broader concern about the condition of their living space.
Common Uninhabitable Living Conditions
- Rodent or insect infestation: Bedbugs, cockroaches, fleas, mice, rats, or bats make a rental unit uninhabitable. Cockroaches can spread disease, while rodents can damage apartment walls, electrical systems, plumbing, and roofs.
- Structural issues: Holes in the floor or walls, leaky roofs, broken exterior doors, and crumbling ceilings are all potentially dangerous hazards.
- Mold, mildew, lead or asbestos: Poor indoor air quality, often indicated by hazardous mold growth, mildew, chipped lead-based paint, or deteriorating asbestos insulation, can make a rental unit uninhabitable.
Action for Uninhabitable Living Conditions
When faced with such conditions, tenants have several options:
- Inspect before renting: Avoiding rental units with obvious signs of poor maintenance is crucial.
- Report issues: Notifying the local housing authorities or housing officials can lead to faster resolution of problems.
- Seeking rent reduction: If the landlord breaches the warranty of habitability, tenants can sue for a rent reduction or file a complaint with local housing agencies.
- Legal recourse: Tenants can take their landlord to court for failing to provide safe living conditions, which may result in the landlord being required to make necessary repairs or provide remedies for breach of the warranty.
