Couple says apartment complex is making them sick

By: | WSLS
Published: July 28, 2008

A local couple wants to know what’s being done about what they think is a health hazard at their apartment complex. Salem Ridge Apartments, formerly known as Willow River, flooded in 2004. Now one of the condemned units from the flood has one couple worried.

Matthew Snider and Carla Kennington-Lee sit in their third-floor apartment. Carla starts coughing and currently suffers from asthma. It’s something she said she’s had since she was 15, but it’s “never been this bad before.”

They think it’s because of a leak in the condemned apartment two floors below them. When Matthew went down to check it out, he "noticed extremely large puddle of water, debris smelled disgusting like mold and mildew.” The next day, Matthew said he had to take Carla to the emergency room for asthma.

The City of Salem and building inspectors have not confirmed the mold but did say there was condensation and sewage back-up in Building 1750 at Salem Ridge. That’s the same building where Matthew and Carla live.

Salem building inspectors say nobody is allowed to live in those bottom apartments that are condemned.

Charles Aldridge, Salem’s Building Official and Zoning Administrator, said 24 units have been condemned from the flooding back in 2004. If anything happens, like flooding or any other leaks, somebody may not know about it for a couple of days.

Ten On Your Side tried to get answers from management at the complex but told us we had to leave the property. So we went to the City of Salem. Matthew and Carla want to know why the apartments are considered safe to live in.

"A lot of times people have their own opinions about what's uninhabitable, but the law doesn't dictate it that way,” said Melinda Payne.

Payne said the health department would have to prove it’s a true health hazard. Trying to prove the apartments are not safe to live in would require going to court. But, Payne says the leaks and sewage have not reached any true level of health concerns.

Payne also said the next step is a follow-up visit to the rooms with leaks and sewage. If it is not cleaned up, the inspectors can go to the health department; however, Payne said the apartment officials have been notified.