City of Atlanta imposing stiffer penalties against absentee landlords

ATLANTA — City of Atlanta leaders say no one should be living in these living conditions.

“The garbage is really, really, really messed up back there,” said Harvest Oaks Apartments resident Denise Belcher.

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Residents at the Harvest Oaks Apartments in Southwest Atlanta tell Channel 2′s Ashli Lincoln they are fed up with the trash, rodents, and the unanswered maintenance requests.

“My ceiling has been like this for at least seven months now,” said Felicia Hewell.

Hewell says the ceiling in her bathroom has a gaping hole in it after a water leak. She says no attempts for repairs have been made after requests for maintenance.

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“It’s mold and mildew and it’s spreading through my apartment,” Hewell said.

We reached out to management here and we’re waiting to hear back.

Atlanta City Councilwoman Andrea Boone says the City of Atlanta is working to rid itself of properties like this.

“Unfortunately, this is the reality of many of Atlanta residents,” said Boone.

She says Harvest Oaks Apartments is one property on a list of more than 100 problem properties with slumlords.

This month, Boone says city leaders met with the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office and the Atlanta Solicitor’s office as part of new legislation the council approved over the summer, targeted to criminally charge landlords who neglect properties. She says the city is currently going after three properties: The Vue at Harwell, Fairburn Gordon Apartments and Martin Manor.

“I plan on tackling these apartment complexes, parcel by parcel, until we get some improvement from these landlords,” Boone said.

Boone says many of the landlords don’t live in Georgia.

The statement from Boone reads:

“I am very familiar with this property and the burden it has become to our community. I am in contact with some of the residents and they know my commitment is firm in working with them regarding improved living conditions. My primary concerns are centered around the ownership and daily operations of Harvest Oaks. It’s unfortunate that the current property owners have not been responsive related to the public safety issues and public health issues that impede the overall quality of life for citizens. I have had recent meetings with members of Mayor Dickens’ team and the Solicitor’s Office, in a coordinated effort to address the problems with Harvest Oaks, as well as other properties throughout Southwest Atlanta. I believe that everyone deserves a decent, safe, and sanitary place to live.”

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