MACON, Ga. — Louvenia Glenn of Milledgeville has lived at Elite Choice Properties for almost 17 years. She says she called the property managers and the Department of Housing and Urban Department about her Air-Vac system.
She says the dust has gotten so bad that she hasn't turned the A/C on. Now, her home has warmed up to more than 88°F and she's wears a mask. The experience has taken a toll on her.
"I've been so short of breath. I get tired just walking through my own home," Glenn said.
House Bill 404, known as the Safe at Home Act, will ensure landlords and property owners keep the inside of homes up to housing code and safety standards.
For example, lights, water, heating and cooling must be up to standard. The bill also says landlords and property owners can't take a security deposit exceeding two months' rent. She hopes the new law will push housing and urban development to fix it.
"They're coming in here and walking through here. That's not inspecting the home. That's not how you inspect the home, now," Glenn said.
The law will also allow landlords to remove squatters and tenants who don't pay their rent after receiving an eviction notice.
Baldwin County Manager Carlos Tobar says the law allows law enforcement and the courts to get involved. Baldwin County Code Enforcement is only responsible for outside the home. He says tenants should speak up if their landlord is not following the rules.
"And the tenants they really need to check the parts themselves to see how well they're kept up and stay clear of those that aren't kept well," Tobar said.
We went to speak with an employee in the Elite Choice Properties office. The employee says they have not received any maintenance requests or calls from Glenn. The employee ensured Williams they would have a maintenance man fix Glenn's air vac system.
A maintenance man did come to change the air filter but left. He said the filter wasn't installed properly. He didn't turn the A/C on to see if it worked or to find a solution to the dust. Glenn hopes someone can inspect her home and others.
"They need to know and they need to check these homes. They run up in here claiming they inspecting. They don't even know how to inspect," Glenn said.
We contacted the state's Department of Community Affairs and have not heard back.
The Safe at Home Act takes effect July 1.
You can find out more information about Georgia landlord/tenant law and how to navigate renting with 13WMAZ's Housing Guide here.