Day in and day out our News 4 WOAI Trouble Shooter email inbox is full of complaints from people with apartment maintenance problems.
One man reached out to our trouble shooters after battling with his west side apartment for months.
The Dymaxion Apartments were built in the 80's and the group that manages them says they are bound to have problems. But Curtis Anderson tells us being old doesn't give them a free pass.
Anderson talked about his biggest concern, his children, and their struggle with health problems since moving in, "I had to take them to the hospital because they complained to me about breathing and the mold in there is rampant.”
Curtis Anderson has his family have only lived at the Dymaxion Apartments for six months. But in that short amount of time, this father of two has uncovered some serious problems.
“The AC units don't work. The structural integrity of the apartments are just not in order,” Anderson explained. “Some of the apartments have floors that you can probably fall through if you walk on them.”
Curtis says he filled out work orders and sent letters to the complex's management group about his concerns. When that didn't work he filed several complaints with code compliance through their 311 system.
“I believe every citizen, if something is not fixed accordingly, that they have the right to put that work order in and have it fixed. And if the complex does not want to abide by that, then they have the right to terminate that lease,” Anderson noted.
Our News 4 Trouble Shooters were on site when the San Antonio’s Dangerous Premises Team showed up. The code officers inspected 19 units and uncovered problems like rotting wood, missing shingles on the roof, and cracks in the siding. They didn't find evidence of mold, but they do believe the city's minimum housing standards have not been met. Code Compliance is giving the complex 14 days to fix the problems.
The United Apartment Group manages the Dymaxion Apartments. We spoke with one of their representatives over the phone, but she did not want to go on camera. Carrie Girgus tells us they are working with the city to fix the problems uncovered. They also offered to let Curtis move out before his lease is up, without any penalties, and give him back his deposit, no questions asked.
If you’re having problems with your apartment complex and want to know more about your rights as tenants –
Click here.If you feel like your health or safety is in jeopardy – You can call 311 to file a complaint with the city.
Click here to find out more about what the city can do to help.
