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TENANTS who are paying upwards of $1,200 a month in rent are begging their landlord for help after being forced to live in reportedly dire conditions.
From disgusting black mold to unmoveable squatters, residents at the Florida apartment complex have blasted the units as “unbearable”
Online, the Miramar Apartments in Jacksonville are described as a “resort-style” paradise, but pictures and videos of the building tell a different story.
Furious tenants claim they’re battling a host of issues, including rampant mold, broken plumbing, and uncollected trash.
Many residents say the complex has become a dangerous place to live as squatters occupy empty units, and the building is in various states of disrepair.
“We don’t know who is allowed to be here and who is not,” one tenant told Fox local affiliate WJAX.
“Squatters are everywhere.”
The apartments, some of which cost $1,200 a month, are occupied by tenants struggling to find affordable housing elsewhere.
Despite paying up to $1,225 for a two-bedroom, renters say the living conditions are unbearable.
Currently the apartments are $779 a month.
“There’s mold everywhere, It’s like living in a swamp,” another tenant shared.
Residents complain of broken air conditioning and heating systems, with some forced to rely on a single unit in their living rooms to cool or heat their homes.
The complex, designed for low-income residents, has been plagued with problems for months.
Squatters and trash have become a growing issue, with overflowing dumpsters left unsorted for weeks.
“I can’t leave. I can’t afford to go anywhere else,” a tenant explained.
“The rent is just too high for us to move.”
In 2023, Jacksonville city inspectors found numerous violations at the complex, including cracked ceilings, sagging floors, and insect infestations.
The landlord has made no effort to fix these issues, according to tenants.
TIPS FOR REQUESTING REPAIRS FROM YOUR LANDLORD
- Put It in Writing: Always submit repair requests in writing either by email or letter to create a clear record. Be specific about the problem, its location, and when it started. Attach photos or videos if possible.
- Follow Up: If you don’t get a response within a reasonable time, send a second written request referencing your initial message. Stay polite but firm.
- Know Your Lease: Check your lease for specific procedures on maintenance requests or designated contacts for repairs.
- Document Everything: Keep copies of all communication with your landlord, including emails, texts, and letters. If the problem causes additional damage or costs, document those too.
- Emergency Repairs: For urgent issues like gas leaks, no heat, or burst pipes, call your landlord immediately and follow up with a written request.
- Know Your Rights: Research your local tenant rights laws to understand your landlord’s obligations and the timeframe they have to make repairs.
- Seek Help if Needed: If your landlord refuses to make necessary repairs, contact a local tenant rights organization or a housing attorney for guidance.
- Keeping clear communication and records will protect you if the issue escalates.
For some, the mold and plumbing problems have become too much to bear.
“It’s impossible to live like this, I feel trapped” one resident said.
Despite the deteriorating conditions, the apartments remain a lifeline for many, as the high cost of living in Jacksonville leaves few affordable alternatives.
“You can’t leave if you have nowhere else to go, we’re stuck,” another resident said.
Miramar Apartments didn’t immediately respond to the request for a comment by The U.S. Sun.
