Charlotte Housing Code allows tougher penalties for slumlords

CHARLOTTE, NC – Housing Advocates are asking city leaders to use tools in the existing minimum housing code to hold slumlords accountable.

Shadavious Billings is one of dozens of people displaced from Tanglewood Apartments. She shared her story in front of city council at a meeting on December 9th.

“Me and my children have lived in very poor conditions such as mice, infestations, roaches, mold exposure, just to name a few,” Billings said. “I still have to pay, but they don’t have to maintain or fix anything. Every year, they go up on the rent, but not on the service.”

City officials say the owner of Tanglewood racked up thousands of dollars in code enforcement fines. They sold the property to a new owner who forced old tenants out. The city says the owners of Lamplighter Inn ignored dozens of code enforcement violations and racked up thousands of dollars in fines.

Housing Advocate and attorney Ted Fillette is working with OneMeck and Action NC to draft a list of policy recommendations to hold landlords accountable for essential repairs to properties.

“The city issuing fines for people that are neglecting their responsibilities by going past the deadline is like writing parking tickets to drivers that are tearing them up and throwing them on the street,” Fillette said. “Issuing fines that don’t work doesn’t accomplish your purpose.”

Fillette says the current minimum housing code gives the city the authority to hire contractors to make repairs and bill the landlords. If landlords refuse to pay the bill, the city has the authority to put liens on the property or take the landlords to court. Fillette says the city is already using that power in some cases.

“When [the city] makes orders to owners that have dilapidated units to demolish them, and they don’t do it, the city uses the in rem remedy to hire contractors to go in and demolish those houses, put the lien on the house, and when it’s not the bill’s not paid, they foreclose on that,” Fillette said.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles cannot force policy changes, but she can influence what committees talk about. She is asking the Housing Safety and Community committee to look at enforcement options.

“This is something that all of us have to do. It’s not just one committee or one person that has the responsibility,” Mayor Lyles said. “What we have heard and seen [at this council meeting] needs to be examined and I expect that it will.”

Families hope leaders make a change soon before more people are pushed out by slumlords.

“I stand here today pleading with the city leaders to implement stricter regulations that could hold landlords accountable for their actions and ensure that they provide habitable living conditions for all tenants,” Billings said. “We need you to provide a better, stronger support system for families who have been displaced by addressing the housing shortage.”

The next Housing Safety and Community meeting is scheduled for January 6th.