A resident of an apartment complex in Clarkston, Georgia received a lease termination notice after publicly complaining about the poor conditions of her apartment. The tenant had contacted a local news station, 11Alive, to report issues including mold, garbage disposal back-ups, and a mildew smell in her unit at the Village at the Creek Apartments.
Other residents also came forward to voice their concerns about similar problems within the complex. Molanda Hargrove, one of the tenants, stated that she had been complaining for months and had even called for an emergency inspection due to the lack of action taken by the management. Hargrove believes that the potential mold in her apartment has been causing health issues for herself and her son, including coughing, passing out during football practice, and frequent headaches.
Frustrated with the lack of progress, Hargrove decided to personally visit the leasing office to complain, recording the exchange on her phone. However, she was informed by the office staff that filming was not permitted. Undeterred, Hargrove took her grievances outside and began protesting, listing all the issues with her apartment.
It was only after another resident posted about the problems on the social media app Nextdoor that the complex started to address the issues. However, shortly thereafter, Hargrove received a notice of lease termination, accusing her of verbally or physically abusive behavior towards the apartment owner and management. The notice also included a clause prohibiting residents from using the internet or cyberspace to disparage or defame the business and stated that any photos or videos of management employees or the apartment community should not be published.
In response to this situation, attorney Tom Salata explained that owners often take aggressive action against negative posts on social media, emphasizing the importance of verifying the truthfulness of any defamatory statements. Salata advised tenants to thoroughly read their lease agreements, ask questions in advance, document issues, obtain written responses from management, and establish a timeline for resolving problems.
Hargrove revealed that she had never received a copy of her lease until she requested it via email, prompting the complex to finally provide her with a copy. The Village at the Creek Apartments is now under new management by Communidad Partners, but County Code Enforcement has confirmed an active investigation into the complex. A June inspection of Hargrove’s unit revealed mold growth on floors and walls, water damage requiring sink repairs, and the need for pest control. Code enforcement will conduct another inspection this week.
11Alive reached out to Communidad Partners multiple times for comment but did not receive a response. Hargrove expressed her hope for justice and urged the management to prioritize fixing the apartments instead of sending retaliatory letters.
It is essential for tenants to be cautious about their online statements to avoid legal repercussions or damaging relationships with their landlords.
