Neglected Maple Heights Apartments: City's Inaction Leaves Residents in Distress

Apartment WallPhoto byBrown Report Newspaper

Maple Heights, OH. Maple Heights is a small suburb on the southeast side of Cleveland, Ohio. It has approximately 23,136 residents. As with neighboring communities, Maple Heights has numerous apartment buildings rated from good to deplorable. The community appears to be no different. They have issues with slum landlords and unkempt apartment complexes.

Recently, we were called to an apartment complex in Maple Heights District Six Community on Clare Ave. "The councilwoman is a ghost. We don't see her," said a concerned citizen. "The VIP apartment building is filthy inside. It's filled with roaches and mice. There are rats outside of the building, and we need help," scoffed a tenant who did not want to be recognized due to potential retaliation from the owner. "Please don't mention my name because I do not want to be homeless. I, and others, want help. We want the landlord to fix the property - clean the property - the mice are taking over," the person stated.

VIP Apartments Maple Heights, OHPhoto byThe Brown Report Newspaper

We visited the property and found the outside unkempt and a large amount of trash by the dumpster. Although we were not allowed to enter the building due to cameras, we received photos of several apartments inside. "I have contacted the landlord several times. He promised to make repairs but never kept his word. He tells us you can leave if you ask him to do something. Most of us are paying $800 plus per month, and we pay on time. What's wrong with us asking for repairs," another tenant added.

We emailed the city of Maple Heights Law Director and Councilwoman Tina Stafford-Marbury seeking public records and the city's ordinance regarding apartment buildings and inspections from the building department. We are seeking any building violations regarding the property in Maple Heights District Six 20102-12 Clare Ave Maple Heights, OH 44137. These are the questions of interest:

1. Do you know about the conditions of these VIP Apartments?

2. We request information on any visits to this property by your building and housing department.

3. We request a copy of any complaints submitted to the City of Maple Heights regarding this property.

4. We want to know what legal perimeters the city of Maple Heights has to ensure that apartment buildings are up to code.

5. Who is the responsible party?

We also requested a copy of the city's building and housing policy regarding legalities and city ordinances for property owners.

The Maple Heights law director and Councilwoman Tina Stafford Marbury did not respond to our email. Stafford Marbury is also the city's Building and Housing Committee Chair.

Trash Behind the BuildingPhoto byThe Brown Report Newspaper

We attempted to contact the building's owner but did not receive a response in time for this article.

Meanwhile, the residents of the VIP apartments will continue to live in what appears to be an unsafe and environmentally hazardous apartment complex. At the same time, City Officials ignore their cry for help or send an inspector to the property to cite the building's owner and command repairs or court action.

Dishwasher and TubPhoto byThe Brown Report Newspaper

We will update this story (should city officials or the landlord respond to our request for information) as we monitor this situation and help tenants reach an amicable resolution.