
Residents of the Life at Edgewater Landing apartment complex are facing a dire situation, with the Columbus City Attorney's office stepping in to legally confront the landlords after numerous tenants were left without essential heating amid a sharp spell of cold weather. A lawsuit filed by the city outlines the urgency of the issues at the complex, pointing to a failing boiler system and landlords seemingly remiss in their duties to uphold livable conditions, as reported by NBC4i.
The problems extend far beyond uncomfortable temperatures, as tenant Janae Trotter shared with WBNS that her apartment was plagued by flooding, mold, and a window that kept falling out, with maintenance providing temporary fixes that did not last and property management unresponsive to urgent concerns, Trotter's experiences highlight the negligence that has brought about this confrontation; "You can still see where it's seeping down. I definitely did put bleach on it because I mean I have kids, they take showers,” Trotter said.
In addition, Code Enforcement has deemed the property a public nuisance, citing more than 170 violations in the past two years. Police records obtained by NBC4i show that the premises have been a hub for criminal activity, including shootings and drug overdoses, in addition to maintenance issues. These findings have served as a foundation for the lawsuit's aim to get the heat running correctly and recoup the costs of relocating residents under the city's new Relocation Assistance Code.
"Working heat and running water is the bare minimum expected of landlords operating in the City of Columbus," Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein stated, according to ABC6. This legislation now serves as an accountability measure, ensuring landlords provide the necessities or face financial penalties, and this case against the landlords of Edgewater Landing marks the first time the city has enacted its power under this ordinance, which mandates that landlords are responsible for covering relocation costs when an emergency vacate order is issued.