Tenants Say Landlord Shuts Off Their Septic System

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NewsNet5

Wednesday April 03 06:22 PM EST

Tenants Say Landlord Shuts Off Their Septic System

Moldy walls are making a mess of a rental home in Willoughby Hills. But the

damage doesn't stop there; tenants called On Your Side Troubleshooter Chris

Caswell to find out their Renters' Rights.

A nice-looking home has a lot of health problems for two tenants, and the

trouble is, the city can't do much to help. There are leaks and mold in

every room, and that isn't the only problem. " (The) carbon monoxide

detector kept going off, " renter said. " (We) told her we

thought there was carbon monoxide in here. "

And there was. The city's fire department and the gas department found the

deadly gas coming from the furnace.

" They red-flagged the house (for) three weeks, " renter Rhonda Lawson said.

" We had to live out of a motel. It was rough. "

It was especially rough for Lawson, who has multiple sclerosis.

and Lawson said that ever since they complained to the health

department and Five On Your Side, their landlord is retaliating. They said

that the landlord removed the wheelchair ramp and hasn't put down any gravel

to keep the tenants' cars from sinking.

Not only is the yard a mess, but the septic system is also connected to an

extension cord that runs to the landlord's house next door. They said that

when the landlord leaves for work in the morning, she cuts it off.

" (If) you go to the bathroom, you better have a plunger, if that works, " one

of the tenants said.

But the landlord said that she isn't retaliating and that the tenants won't

let her in to make repairs. She said that she's trying to repair the sewer

system and keep the house functional.

But the health department gave the landlord 30 days to remove the mold. As

far as the other problems go, the tenants are going to court or using plan

B. " We're looking for another place, " said. " We are looking, because she

refuses to do anything. "

The tenants said that they stopped paying rent in February because the landl

ord would not respond. The landlord said that she is evicting the tenants.

Tenants in similar situations should put their rent money in an escrow

account -- then the landlord can't evict you and you can go to court.

The landlord said that the furnace was serviced and should be working fine

now.

The city of Willoughby Hills said that it hopes to pass legislation for

housing codes soon.