Residents at Harmony Senior Apartments in Las Vegas say they were effectively trapped in their homes for more than a week after the only working elevator in one of the buildings broke down. Many use walkers or wheelchairs and say that without the elevator, it’s impossible to manage basic daily tasks.
“This is our lifeline for people like myself who are wheelchair-bound,” resident Michael Strickland told KLAS. “It’s a senior community, and we have so many people in this building who are mobility-impaired.”
What options do these residents have? Here are the legal options if you or someone you love faces similar issues.
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The elevator issues have been going on for months, residents say
Some residents told 8 News Now that the broken elevator has made it difficult to complete day-to-day activities like picking up groceries, doing laundry or making it to medical appointments.
Nancy Smith, who lives on the top floor, said she had to cancel physical therapy. “I’ve got my mobility issue with my hip,” she explained.
Smith says even when she has groceries delivered to the apartment complex, she can’t get down to the ground floor to pick them up. She was told maintenance could not assist her.
Harmony Senior Apartments residents say this isn’t the first time. Strickland told reporters the elevator has gone out multiple times since he moved in. After calling the apartment management to complain, he was advised not to use the elevator, even after it began operating again.
“Yes, it is working, but they say don’t use it because it’s not safe,” he said. "You could get trapped."
While a technician was seen working on the elevator during a KLAS site visit, property management declined to comment on the outage or timeline for repairs.
Senior residents like Smith and Strickland aren’t facing a simple inconvenience — the lack of elevator access is life-altering. In addition to missing critical medical appointments, residents are unable to pick up their food deliveries, access the outdoors or escape the building if a fire or other dangerous situation arises.
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What to do if you face a similar issue
Under the Nevada building code, multifamily residential buildings must comply with accessibility standards set by Chapter 11 of the International Building Code. That includes maintaining an accessible route, such as a working elevator, for residents with disabilities.
Tenants also have protections under federal law. The Fair Housing Act requires landlords to provide reasonable accommodations to residents with disabilities, including ensuring they can enter and exit their homes safely. If that route becomes inaccessible, landlords must act swiftly to resolve the issue or provide an alternative.
If you’re dealing with a similar problem:
- Document everything: Take photos, save emails, and keep a written log of issues and attempts to get help.
- Submit a formal complaint to management: Put requests in writing and ask for a timeline on repairs.
- Call your local code enforcement or housing authority: In Las Vegas, this may include the Building & Safety Department or the Office of Fair Housing.
- File a complaint with HUD: If management fails to provide a reasonable accommodation, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- Seek legal aid: Local nonprofits or legal clinics may be able to assist tenants facing unsafe or inaccessible conditions.
For residents like Strickland and Smith, a working elevator isn’t just a convenience — it’s a necessity. If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, don’t wait for management to act.
Call your local code enforcement, file a formal complaint with HUD, and if people are physically unable to exit the building, consider contacting the fire department. They can perform wellness checks and, in some cases, push for management to take emergency actions.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
