LAWRENCE, KS (KCTV) -
Wet carpets and moldy walls are just a few of the unlivable conditions people were calling home.
City officials deemed the Court 26 apartment complex in Lawrence as uninhabitable because of numerous violations. Now the tenants are being forced to find a new place to live by next Monday.
A bright pink condemned sign is what greets residents and visitors to the building on West 26th Street near Redbud Lane.
Once inside, there is further confirmation of the condemnation. Water damage, which gave way to mold, dust-filled vents, broken smoke alarms and a heavy, musty scent.
"We determined that the building was in such disrepair we made a decision to lace condemnation orders on the entire structure," code enforcement officer Brian Jimenez said.
Jimenez said the city has visited the complex numerous times over the past three years, visits that were triggered by tenant complaints. Half of the 24 units are currently vacant.
Residents say the ceiling of their home was falling down, moldy walls and insulation surrounded them and repeated leaks top the list.
"I personally don't think it is really all that bad. Yes, there are units that are less than adequate," one resident said who lives on the third-floor of the building.
Though the resident, who asked to be unidentified, says conditions are better, he, along with the other residents, has to move by order of the city.
"I don't see why those that don't have problems are being punished," he said.
That man did find another place to live, and will be moving at the end of the month.
KCTV5 made several calls to the property managers, but calls were not returned.
City officials say they will try to work with residents who are now looking for a new place to live.
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