‘Left to fend for ourselves’: Residents confused after apartment management leaves

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Residents are crying for help in the Memphis Airport area after they say they no longer have anyone managing their apartment.

“Safety has not been a problem,” resident Shonda McNeil said. “The management has been an issue – getting things fixed, but I never felt unsafe, and now I feel unsafe.”

The lack of management has created a long list of concerns for residents of Lakeville Townhomes.

With no maintenance to help, McNeil claims she only has one electrical outlet that works in her apartment.

She sent WREG an email she received from HM Heckle, which said that they are no longer managing the complex.

The third-party management firm added that they had no knowledge of who would replace them.

“We have abandoned buildings, broken windows,” McNeil said. “We also have no one to keep up or grass, trash is everywhere.”

McNeil even showed WREG apartments throughout the community that have been abandoned.

A WREG reporter went inside one that’s been abandoned since April.

While there, he saw debris and clothes on the floor that had been left behind by the previous tenants. There was also damage to the wall.

When asked how they have been able to pay rent, another resident said that they haven’t been able to.

“I don’t know where to pay it at,” resident Percy Webb said. “Nobody knows where to pay rent at.”

The management company already disabled the online rent payment tool.

HM Heckle confirmed to WREG that they’re no longer managing the property. When we asked why, they said that no one was available for comment.

WREG has learned that Lakeville Townhome is owned by an LLC based out of Nevada and their status remains active.

However, the registered agent over the limited liability company resigned back in April of this year. A WREG reporter called that agent and as of Tuesday evening, he has not heard back.

“What are the next steps? Because we don’t know,” McNeil said. “Will they up and put an eviction notice on our doors?”

McNeil said there are increasing safety concerns and too many unanswered questions, like will MLGW keep their lights and water on? Will they have to pay back rent when new management eventually takes over?

What is known is that Memphis Code Enforcement listed more than 10 violations at the end of last month.

Those issues were supposed to be fixed by July 1 but without management to handle them, they’re overdue.

“We’re kind of left to fend for ourselves,” McNeil said.

The City of Memphis encourages residents to call 311 for any construction, electrical, or yard needs but says the city’s hands are tied because the apartments are on private property.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.