A rental home infested with cockroaches and the tenants say the landlord won’t fix it and whole list of other problems.In 2008, FOX23 News first told you about Savage Leasing and last week FOX23 News revisited the owner who now leases homes through www.moveintoday.net.
The city says it can’t get hold of him and has the doors locked in their faces.
FOX23’s Abbie Alford continues to investigate who is renting these homes that some are deemed unlivable.
A home with no hot water, sinking bathroom floor and a bathtub that won’t drain.
"We haven't showered since last night," says Dawn Stampers.
However, it’s not until inspectors go into the kitchen do they see who else is living in this home.
"When I open up my cupboards, they [cockroaches] just fall out everywhere," says Stampers. “I can't even feed my kids. I have to go day to day and buy food with my food stamps."
There’s cockroaches crawling everywhere.
"Crawling on my silverware my children eat with," says Stampers.
The creatures even crawl out from under the dining room mirror.
"You've applied the bombs numerous times?” asks City of Tulsa Housing Inspector with Working In Neighborhoods Brant Pitchford.
The tenants say they’ve gone through cans and cans of bug spray.
So the inspector heads outside the home.
"We have some structural issues there,” says Pitchford.
The inspectors find broken boards on the porch and believe a person can hurt their ankle by walking on the porch.
The Tulsa County Health Department already warned and gave written notice to www.moveintoday.net known as Savage Leasing or Brightside Properties on this home in the 1000 block of E. 5th Place.
It states that the home should not be rented and is unlivable. The landlord has only a few more days to make repairs before he faces a $500 fine or three months in jail
The city says the home is unlivable and shouldn’t be rented.
“According to Title 55 you are not supposed to no,” says Brandt.
However, like the city renters like Dawn Stampers, Savage Leasing continues to ignore FOX23 News calls and questions.
In 2008 FOX23’s Emily Sinovic went to the business to get answers.
Sinovic: “Is there anyway to speak to him... when will he be available?...We'll just wait here for the owner."
Employee: “You may be waiting here for a couple of days.”
Sinovic: “So the owner is never here?"
Employee: “He said there is no story here, he asked you to leave, you are obstructing our business.”
Sinovic: “He said I'm obstructing your business by waiting in the lobby?”
Employee: “Yes.”
Last week FOX23’s Abbie Alford tried calling and also went to the business.
Alford: "This was just opened two minutes ago. Our cameras show up and the doors are closed?"
On Tuesday Abbie Alford went inside the office.
Alford: "I still haven't been able to hear from anybody who owns this place. I have received more complaints the city says they can't get a hold of the owner. There are plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits who say they can't find him and we have done stories since 2008 and still cannot get a hold of the owner"
Employee: "Can you leave a card cause I just called him and he said that he would call or have his attorney call."
Alford: "We've been here since 2008 and it's my job to try to get some answers for these people because they can't get answers."
Now the Stampers are facing eviction from a home the landlord already has up for rent. Yet, the conditions are deemed are unlivable.
The website has a disclaimer stating some of the listed homes are not immediately in ready to rent condition.
The city says the owners operating under these properties are Mark Savage and Rod Spurlin.
FOX23 News tried getting in contact with the last known attorney but the call was not returned.
Court records show several lawsuits have been filed against Savage,Spurlin, Savage Leasing, Brightside Properties and Hot Rod Dreams.
The city property maintenance supervisor says there have been ten to fifteen cases investigated into these properties. In the last year all but one have been resolved and they have not been able to meet the landlord. The door was also locked when the city approached the company during business hours.
The city is working on a Rental Registration program that would require rental homes to be inspected throughout the year.
The city recommends that if you want to make a complaint about a home call the Mayor’s Action Line at (918) 596-2100. A case will be assigned and as long as the tenant or the landlord gives permission they can inspect the inside of the home.
