DENVER — Tenants at a Denver apartment complex are calling for change after the complex passed a third-party inspection even though, they say, residents are dealing with issues including pest infestations and months without basic utilities.
Residents at the Felix on Dartmouth Avenue in southwest Denver became vocal about the problems in February, a few months after they formed a tenants union. Also in February, the company hired a third-party inspector, which is a requirement for landlords to receive a Denver city license.
"I can tell you that there is no way that the Felix was qualified to pass an inspection in February," said Benjamin, who did not give his last name. "At that time, we still had over 100 units that didn't have hot water or heating. That's one-fourth of this property that didn't have working utilities."
Benjamin said he's lived at the complex for more than three years. He was one of several tenants who presented their concerns at a news conference Monday.
Inside the buildings, tenants like Damiar Mendez said they can't use their appliances.
"Right now, the dishwasher – all of the water from the sink, dirty water, it pools there," Mendez said. "It already smells because it's black water because obviously, it's dirty water."
Mendez said she's killed seven rats in the apartment. She's worried about her two daughters living in these conditions.
"As well, we have to face problems with a lack of air conditioning and heat during cold weather," Mendez said.
After the complex passed its third-party inspection, the tenants are asking Colorado's attorney general to investigate the third-party inspector, and for Denver to make changes to the process for their licensing program.
"This inspector came in here 10 days after we were on the news for how bad the conditions were here," Benjamin said. "There's no way he missed this."
The city started the landlord licensing program in an effort to provide more oversight for landlords and make sure basic living conditions are met. Under the program, landlords are required to get a third-party inspection done every four years to maintain a residential rental property license.
While they passed this third-party inspection, the Felix's license application is currently pending due to health concerns brought forward to the city's health department.
The city's Department of Excise and Licenses said they have brought more than $88,000 in fines against landlords, and have issued more than 2,000 warning letters.