‘This could be a life or death issue,’ State Rep. returns to troubled Oklahoma City apartments now without air conditioning

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Troubling occasions are persevering with at a metro condo complicated, as some tenants say they’ve been caught with out air-con for weeks within the warmth. 

“This may very well be a life or dying concern,” mentioned Rep. Mickey Dollens, D-Oklahoma Metropolis. “They’re going with out air-con throughout one of many hottest weeks on file.” 

KFOR first reported on the Creekside Residences about two months in the past after some tenants had been with out working scorching water for weeks. We’re instructed that concern has principally been resolved. 

However now, tenants say they’re baking in scorching scorching residences. 

“I’m afraid I’m going to get a warmth stroke,” mentioned Michael Milligan, a tenant. “I might say it’s in all probability about 90 plus levels [inside my apartment] and although we have now followers working inside, it’s nonetheless scorching.” 

In response to Milligan and Rep. Dollens, this concern has been reporting to the complicated’s landlord. 

“They’re ignoring these complaints,” mentioned Rep. Dollens. “They’re saying that there’s no formal complaints.”

The Creekside Residences are owned by an organization based mostly in California referred to as Capitol Properties Investments LLC.

Regardless of tenants saying they’ve filed work orders, Landlord Jose Belman is insisting he hasn’t gotten any. 

“I need to assist everybody, we simply don’t get the request orders,” mentioned Belman on a cellphone name with KFOR. “We are able to’t do a lot after we don’t have any work orders, as you already know. It’s simply the traditional course of… They’re engaged on that now to get that rectified.” 

Belman mentioned he’s having a mechanical firm exit to the residences to repair the AC both this Wednesday or Thursday. 

Rep. Dollens says with Oklahoma being certainly one of six states within the nation with out anti-retaliation legal guidelines, he fears it makes the state a first-rate goal to benefit from Oklahomans. 

“A lot of individuals at this condo complicated are afraid to talk up in worry of being retaliated towards,” mentioned Rep. Dollens. “I spoke to at least one tenant final week who mentioned that after he went on digicam, he was instructed by administration that he was taking a look at eviction.”

Milligan added that he’s been instructed he shall be “kicked out for doing what I’m doing,” referring to him chatting with media shops in regards to the points. 

Nonetheless, Belman’s denying this – by way of a textual content dialog, Information 4 requested if there was any reality to this risk to which Belman replied, “under no circumstances.” 

“It’s crucial that we do all that we are able to to get the eye of the out-of-state company landlord to get them to satisfy their obligations that they made to the tenants and ensure they’ve a humane and liveable place to stay,” mentioned Rep. Dollens. 

Dollens mentioned he and his workforce are engaged on creating an anti-retaliation regulation in Oklahoma. He additionally mentioned he’s working with a metropolis lawyer to make sure no tenants on the Creekside Residences get evicted for talking out.