‘We have nowhere to go’ Residents displaced after Alcoa apartment building condemned
ALCOA, Tenn. (WATE) — Nine families are looking for a new place to live after their property management company failed the repair electrical hazards in their apartment building.
The City of Alcoa had no choice but to condemn the building, declaring it unfit for habitation. Residents at Lakemont Village Apartments received the notice just two days ago. Five months ago, Alcoa notified Lakemont apartment management of numerous code violations that endangered the health and welfare of residents who live in the building on Cerritos Way just off Alcoa Highway.
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The city sent nine families a letter in September suggesting they find a new place to live. The condemnation gives them until next Thursday to move out.
Marie Felt took us inside her son's apartment which had been condemned. The City of Alcoa posted a condemnation notice on Monday, November 4 for Building No.1 at Lakemont Village Apartments.
"It was reported to the management and nothing has been done about it. It leaks," said Felt, pointing to water dripping from a pipe about the first-floor apartment.
The hole in the ceiling was first reported to management two months ago.
"And nothing has been done. They've seen pictures. They have been in these apartments, but they won't do nothing for anyone," said Felt
Tammy Chandler has a big hole in her bedroom ceiling.
"I don't sleep in here. I sleep on the couch. Because of the bugs and rodents that may be in that ceiling," said Chandler.
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Chandler shared that the hole has been in her apartment since around September 1, adding that nothing has been done about it.
The city sent a notice to residents in September, saying there were critical electrical hazards created by water pouring into junction boxes from a leaky roof.
"This is what the roof currently looks like right now," said Ethan Davis, a former maintenance worker at the complex.
He said he and other workers tried to fix the roof in July. The leaks created the electrical issues below.
"We put tarps up there to try to stop the water ourselves," Davis said. "We tried to patch it, but the owner and management only bought half of the materials that we were supposed to have."
Alcoa said Building No.1 is unfit for human habitation and all residents must move out by November 14.
"It's horrible, no one should live like this," said Felt. "We have nowhere to go. It's horrible."
We went to the manager's office. The door was locked and no one was in.
"I refuse to sign another year's lease because they haven't repaired anything, ever," said Duane Flemmings, who lives in one of Lakemont's other buildings.
His front door frame was supposedly repaired two months ago when new plywood was laid to fix a hole in the second-floor walkway. Now, he cannot close his front door and the whole structure is loose.
Nine families are now looking for a new affordable apartment.
"I desperately need a place to live so I can get out of this mess," said Chandler.
Chandler said she and other residents have asked management for their deposits back, of more than $500. But she said they've been told, no.
Alcoa told 6 News that the property operators were given adequate notice of the violations and time to make repairs that meet the code. The city said the condemnation process is being taken as a result of the failure to remedy the violations.
Alcoa has given the property management company out of Johnson City, 30 days to submit a plan of action to correct the code violations. However, residents must be out of their apartments in seven days.
