Nine apartment complexes in Prince George's County inspected after complaints of no AC

3 months ago 3

The weather may have cooled off, but frustrations are still high for many of the tenants who continue to deal with no working air conditioning in their apartments across Prince George's County

How did we get here

WUSA9 first introduced you to tenants at North Hills Apartments in District Heights on July 10. They told WUSA9 they hadn't had a working AC in months, and the property management wasn't doing anything to fix the issue.

"I can barely breathe. I be sweating, just sitting down," said Layla who told WUSA9 the temperature in her apartment has been in the 90s all week.

They told WUSA9 the complex wasn't prioritizing the right issues.

"Ya'll putting these dumb cameras in here that don't really work, then ya'll putting these dumb speed bumps in here," said Dawayne. "Fix the air! Fix the air!"

They told WUSA9, that property management had offered them fans as a solutions.

A spokesperson for Prince George's County told WUSA9 that the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) was notified of AC issues, after five PGC311 complaints were filed on July 11.

They said DPIE was provided a list of 83 apartments in the complex, that had "AC units needing repair".

A violation notice was issued to North Hills Apartments management, and they were given until July 18, to come into compliance.

On July 12, North Hills management apologized to tenants.

On July 17, DPIE says they reinspected the property and found that "AC units had been repaired in most apartments. Other apartments had been equipped with portable A/C units to bring the temperatures down to A/C standards as designated in the Housing Code. DPIE continues to monitor repairs and A/C compliance.

WUSA9 has been in touch with a PR firm representing North Hills Apartments. Wednesday night they sent WUSA9 the following statement.

"On July 19, we passed the DPIE inspection. We are continuing to address HVAC issues as they arise and utilizing portable units as needed to ensure code compliance."

They weren't the only complex WUSA9 has received reports of AC issues from.

At Hickory Hill Apartments in Suitland, one tenant showed us how technically his air conditioning unit works, but the problem is if he turns it on, he gets a mess.

"If I do run it, it'll leak all through here," said Michael Boone as he showed WUSA9 his soaked carpet.

At Capital Crossing Apartments in District Heights, WUSA9 spoke to a family who also didn't have a working AC unit.

Less than 48 hours after WUSA9's report, Prince George's County Council Member Krystal Oriadha shared that their AC unit had been repaired.

WUSA9 also spoke with residents of Heather Hills Apartments in Temple Hills, where neighbors said they were dealing with not only AC issues, but bats.

How many complexes inspected

Since July 10, WUSA9 has been asking Prince George's County for more information about the complaints they've received.

Wednesday the county shared a list of complexes where they inspected after complaints over the past two weeks.

North Hills Apartments, District Heights - 83 apartments had A/C units needing repair when DPIE was notified of A/C issues in five PGC311 complaints on July 11, 2024. DPIE was provided a list of units with A/C issues by the complex’s management. A violation notice was issued by DPIE. When DPIE conducted the reinspection of the property on July 17, 2024, the A/C units had been repaired in most apartments. Other apartments had been equipped with portable A/C units to bring the temperatures down to A/C standards as designated in the Housing Code. DPIE continues to monitor repairs and A/C compliance.
Hickory Hills Apartments, Suitland – DPIE inspectors investigated complaints on July 18, 2024, of six nonworking A/C units reported to PGC311. Inspectors issued four violation notices for A/C units in disrepair. A reinspection will be conducted by July 26, 2024, to check to see if steps have been taken to bring the A/C units into compliance. If not, DPIE will take appropriate action.
Tribeca at Camp Springs, Camp Springs – On July 12, 2024, DPIE inspectors investigated complaints reported to PGC311 of multiple Housing Code violations within this condominium complex. None of the complaints involved A/C issues. Condominiums are privately owned properties, the same as single-family dwellings. DPIE investigates alleged violations in common areas in condo complexes, but not those in privately-owned units.
Admiral Place Apartments, Suitland – As of July 22, 2024, there is one complaint of an A/C issue. The unit had been repaired, but the problem reoccurred. A reinspection will be conducted by July 26, 2024.
Andrew Ridge Apartments, Suitland – No new A/C complaints have been reported as of 7/22/2024.
Flats of Forestville Apartments, Forestville – One new A/C complaint was received on July 17, 2024. A reinspection will be conducted by July 26, 2024.
Oaks at Oxon Hill Apartments, Oxon Hill - One new A/C complaint was reported to PGC311 on July 22, 2024. A DPIE inspector will investigate the issue by July 24, 2024.
Heather Hills Apartments, Temple Hills – A new A/C complaint was reported to PGC311 on July 22, 2024. A DPIE inspector will investigate by July 24, 2024.
The District at Forestville, Forestville – Air conditioning was broken in several units after thieves stole compressors and wiring for 43 outside A/C units. Four A/C units remained broken as of July 19, 2024. Portable A/C units have been placed in affected apartments. A reinspection will be conducted by July 31, 2024.

What does "in compliance" mean?

According to Prince George's County, when they find a complex is "in complex", this means they are in line with the housing code requirements.

Coming into compliance may not mean that repairs are already made, according to the county, but it may mean that steps have been taken to mitigate the negative impact caused by failures while repairs are underway.

A spokesperson said HVAC repairs are sometimes complicated, because parts may need to be ordered, contractors may need to be hired, etc., so it may take some time to get the repairs completed.

Providing temporary cooling or heating equipment to residents while the main systems are in the process of being repaired brings the property into compliance, according to the county, during a reasonable compliance response window allowed by DPIE.