Owner makes repairs to Washington building
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A Washington property owner who received 10 building code violations last month for her apartment building at 18 W. Maiden St. told the city that, weather permitting, she hopes to be in full compliance within a few weeks, according to Washington code enforcement officer Ron McIntyre.
Donna Griffin, the owner, was notified of the violations Dec. 12, after at least two of her tenants complained about the building’s condition to McIntyre. McIntyre said he conducted inspections of the building and gave Griffin a list of violations, including exterior staircases in disrepair, ceilings falling down, walls that are cracked, exposed wiring and a lack of smoke detectors.
“We didn’t see evidence that it was unsafe for people to live there,” McIntyre said.
Griffin’s initial deadline for compliance was Dec. 21, but with the frigid temperatures, McIntyre said the city offered her more time to complete the exterior work, including brick work.
“She has people working on it,” McIntyre said. “She asked for more time, and we gave her more time.”
McIntyre said Griffin has been doing indoor work at the building but is waiting for two tenants, recently evicted, to move out so she can make repairs to their apartments. One of those tenants, Sterling Jones, who brought his concerns about the building before Washington city council Dec. 11, called that a “stall tactic.”
“She should have done something in October,” he said. “She had ample time to do the repairs.”
Jones said he moved into the building in October and asked Griffin to make some repairs to his unit, including fixing the heat he allegedly went without for weeks. When she did not, he said he withheld his $800 monthly rent for November and December. She then served him with an eviction notice.
On Dec. 19, District Judge Robert Redlinger ruled against Jones. He was ordered to leave the building and pay $1,200. Griffin’s attorney, David Posner, said he hopes to obtain an order of possession on Jones’ apartment as soon as Monday.
“If you’re not paying rent you can’t stay someplace,” Posner said. “She is fixing what needs to be fixed. Inside work is being done now and when she can get into those apartments to fix those, she will.”
Jones said he moved out of the apartment this week.
“I’m just trying to let go and let God,” Jones said. “Hopefully this other apartment will work out, but I’m not done filing against them and all involved.”
McIntyre said Griffin no longer has a specific deadline to complete the work, but he suspects it will get done “sooner rather than later.”