Imagine being told you have just five days to leave your home — with nowhere to go and no plan for what comes next.
That was the nightmarish reality for residents of The Vault apartment complex in Statesboro, Georgia. City inspectors deemed the buildings “dangerous to the life, health, property and safety of the occupants,” and demanded a repair plan within 10 days, according to WJCL News. Tenants found eviction notices taped to their doors on April 7 saying units must be vacated by April 11.
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"Basically saying that we need to move out by Friday. By the end of the business day," Tamia Allen told the local broadcaster.
Here’s what residents have to say about the state of the complex, and what tenants should know about their rights.
A horrendous state of disrepair
A decade-long resident of the complex, Duston Bowen says he’s spent the last four years begging management to make repairs.
"This right here. You can just squeeze and just peel it off. It’s just it’s not even on. There’s a hole that goes up underneath it right now that’s just rotted out," he said while pointing out damages on the outside of his unit. Shots of the inside showed further damage, such as peeling on the ceiling and mold.
Bowen says calls to fix the unit have been ignored.
"I’ve told them about so many things; I’ve actually given up," he said.
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Other residents have complaints of their own.
"When I opened the closet, an army of roaches crawled out," Walter Robinson told WJCL News.
On top of living in these conditions, hundreds of residents were suddenly left scrambling to find a new home within a matter of days.
What tenants can do
Many states have tenant protection laws about the living conditions of rental properties. Georgia has the Safe at Home Act, signed into law last year, which requires rental properties for new or renewed leases to be fit for habitation and free of safety risks. If a landlord fails to comply, tenants can file complaints with local housing authorities. Landlords may also be open to legal challenges.
If you feel your rights as a tenant have been violated, you can take certain actions. First, document everything (photos, videos) and keep a record of any written complaints. You can also reach out to tenant advocacy groups or even an attorney for support. Explore rental assistance programs in your area if necessary.
According to WJCL News, a number of local groups have offered former residents of The Vault assistance. For example, the nearby Georgia Southern University has offered students additional resources. Statesboro Pediatrics and Family Healthcare Center, a local clinic, has offered some free services in April. Christian Social Ministries has offered food and supplies.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
