Bell Lofts: After outcry, landlord agrees to return deposits; residents still want investigation

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – After the residents of a condemned North Minneapolis house constructing spoke out in opposition to their landlord for a FOX 9 story — alleging he did not return their deposits and had a protracted historical past of ignoring pressing upkeep wants — his property administration firm emailed tenants a letter Friday saying their deposits can be returned. 

Former tenants of the historic Bell Lofts house constructing, the place a flood brought on by a burst pipe displaced 21 households on Dec. 28, 2022, say they acquired a letter Friday morning from a property administration firm owned by landlord Chris Webley stating they may decide up their deposit checks Sunday.

“I do consider it was a results of us talking out,” former resident Theresa Kress instructed FOX 9. “I consider it was due to how briskly the response was. Unexpectedly,” she mentioned.  

It got here simply as, during the last 48 hours, lots of the former residents had begun submitting tenant complaints with Minnesota Lawyer Common Keith Ellison’s Workplace. They urged him to research their considerations, particularly that Webley had allegedly violated state regulation by failing to return their deposits or significantly returning them together with invoices for again hire that tenants mentioned had been inaccurate.

Within the latter to tenants, the corporate mentioned they had been returning the deposits “no matter overdue balances.” It additionally promised cost for an unspecified quantity through a present card. 

The administration firm launched the next assertion:

Kress mentioned she hopes Ellison nonetheless investigates the case and that tenants would proceed to push the state and the Metropolis of Minneapolis to carry Webley accountable, together with by denying him a brand new rental license for Bell Lofts. 

She views the cost as an try and quell resident activism.

“I really feel as if it is a hush, hush, attempting to quiet or content material us as a result of he would not wish to be liable for another funding,” Kress mentioned.

In an announcement to FOX 9, Ellison urged residents to proceed to file complaints. 

“My job as Lawyer Common is to assist folks afford their lives and stay with dignity, security, and respect. That features tenants who might really feel like their rights could also be violated by their landlord. I encourage tenants to contact my workplace and file a criticism,” he mentioned. 

This can be a growing story. Test again for updates.