AG Schwalb sued the owner and property manager of two apartment buildings in Ward 7’s Deanwood community for forcing tenants to live in deplorable conditions and compromising their health and safety. An investigation discovered severe, dangerous housing code violations at 5128 and 5134 Sheriff Road, Northeast. The buildings have mountains of trash inside and outside the complexes; rodent and bedbug infestations; unlocked and unsecure doors and windows; severe mold contamination; water leaks, including in units where large parts of the ceiling have collapsed; and faulty electrical wiring that has forced tenants to live without working stoves, dishwashers, or refrigerators. OAG’s lawsuit describes how the owner and property manager’s prolonged neglect has allowed persistent illegal drug and firearm activity in and around the property to take place, putting the lives of Sheriff Road tenants and the surrounding community members at risk. 

“Landlords and property managers have a legal obligation to provide a safe and sanitary living environment for their residents. Tenants at Sheriff Road have been forced to endure horrific, dangerous conditions for far too long, and such blatant disregard for District residents’ health and safety stops today. My office will continue to use our independent authority to stand up for tenants and ensure that all Washingtonians have a safe place to call home.”- AG Schwalb