Wood Ridge tenants demanding answers

AUSTIN (KXAN) - When a large balcony collapsed at Wood Ridge Apartments in May, it was just the beginning of headaches for the East Austin apartment complex.

Subsequent inspections turned up some 700 code violations at the complex at 1900 Burton Drive.

Nearly 50 families were forced out of their apartment when the balcony collapsed. Code enforcement found many more problems after responding.

But Asset Plus Companies representative Byron Plant has said the apartment owners do not have the finances to make the repairs.

On Wednesday evening, representatives for Wood Ridge appeared before the building and standards commission. The owner of the apartment said they were still looking for a company to purchase the apartments, but they have not secured a buyer yet.

Since repairs have not been made, starting Thursday, the City will start fining the owner. The owner will be fined $1000 each week for every building in violation -- which is 15 buildings -- and amounts to $15,000 each week.

The owner did agree to not raise the rent for the tenants who are still living at the Wood Ridge Apartments; the apartment complex also can't rent to any new renters.

While the apartment will continue to stay operational, some tenants say they are not being let out of their lease.

"They say they'll get to the repairs, and 30 days go by," said Tine Brions. "We ask again and somebody comes and it takes two or three months to fix it."

Brions intends to move out as soon as his lease is up in December.

Katherine Stark, director of the Austin Tenants Council, said tenants should send in their repair request in a certified letter.

"Once you said that, they have seven days to be considered in breach of contract," she said. "Then you have options."

She says those options include leaving your lease or taking the complex to court.