A housing dispute at a senior apartment complex in Midway, Kentucky, is pushing the small city toward a rewrite of its rental rules.
After tenants described leaks, mold, and even mushrooms growing from soaked carpet, officials say they want stronger tools to hold both landlords and renters accountable.
Here's what to know
Residents of Midway School Apartments told LEX 18 that maintenance issues have lingered at the senior complex, which was created from a former school and includes 24 handicap-accessible units.
Among the complaints were leaking windows and water entering apartments. Tenant Charlotte Deer said the moisture in her bedroom got so bad that mushrooms began growing from the soaked carpet.
"This is what we're dealing with, and it goes on and on and on," Deer told LEX 18.
Other residents said they put down towels to catch water from leaking windows, and they noted management had been told about the issues without repairs being completed.
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Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said the city was looking to adopt the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, which would give officials more options to enforce responsibilities when landlords or tenants fail to meet them.
More background
Housing issues such as leaks and moisture intrusion can be especially serious for older adults, who may be more vulnerable than others to mold exposure, damaged living spaces, and the disruption of being forced out of their homes.
Deer moved to an extended-stay hotel with the cost covered by AU Associates, the company that manages the complex, according to LEX 18.
"It's a nice place. It's got a little kitchenette and I'm pleased, but it's not home," she said.
AU Associates President Johan Graham said the company was working to address groundwater problems believed to be contributing to issues in Deer's unit and was also seeking bids for window repairs.
What's being done?
Midway's proposed ordinance could clarify expectations and give the city stronger ways to respond when standards are not met. Vandegrift said the measure could allow Midway to pursue fines or court action in cases involving violations by landlords or tenants.
"The Commonwealth has yet to pass this, but it essentially would add teeth to what we can do in residential rental spaces," Vandegrift said, per LEX 18. "... It just makes very clear in Midway what will be expected of the landlord and what will be expected of the renter."
AU Associates offered Deer another unit on a different floor of the building, and she was hopeful that she may soon return home.
Where can I learn more?
Midway's push to more clearly define landlord and tenant responsibilities reflects a larger debate over what happens when people cannot safely or comfortably live in their homes. Elsewhere, that has played out in fights over indoor heat protections and about how much say landlords or housing groups should have over everyday life.
• In Arizona, lawmakers moved toward indoor temperature protections after renters faced dangerous heat.
• Some renters still need landlords to let them garden in usable outdoor spaces.
• One homeowner learned that their HOA can ban solar upgrades under sweeping neighborhood rules.
Local rules can go a long way in shaping whether a home is safe and livable. Midway is wrestling with those questions as city leaders consider tougher rental standards.
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