DC Attorney General sues landlord over unsafe living conditions

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — The attorney general for the District of Columbia is suing a landlord and his property managers for what he calls “extreme housing code violations” at two complexes.

Brian Schwalb filed the two lawsuits Monday against Ali “Sam” Razjooyan, who owns the properties, 1644-1656 W Street, a housing complex in Ward 8, and Minnesota Commons in Northeast in Ward 7.

“You’re asking us to pay our rent on time and pay water bill and and pay all these essentials and stuff like that,” said Kianna Smith, who lives at the W Street location in Southeast, with her two children. “But you are not taking care of it the way it’s taken care of.”

Among the issues for Smith are missing floor panels and rats. She’s not the only tenant with a rodent problem.

“I got the stove on right now because the mice be inside, might be at the bottom,” said Jayshaun Gill, who lives next door with his young daughter.

He’s also glad to hear about the lawsuits.

“It’s amazing,” Gill said. “We’re going to have something done for our right for once in a while. For as long as I’ve been here.”

Things appeared to be worse at Minnesota Commons, where tenants relayed similar complaints but declined to talk to DC News Now.

Schwalb seeks to have repairs made as soon as possible, restitution for the affected tenants and penalties against the owner and his management companies.

Management did not return DC News Now’s request for comment.

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