WASHINGTON — After a WUSA9 report on a woman who complained about the substandard living conditions of her apartment, we're learning more about the dispute between the tenant and landlord.
Phyllis Jones contacted WUSA9 after numerous attempts at getting repairs done in her Southeast D.C. apartment.
Jones is part of D.C.'s Rapid Rehousing program, receiving a subsidy for affordable housing.
Jones told WUSA9 that in October, she was told her apartment at 109 Wayne Place was move-in-ready. When she moved in, she said it was covered in mold, spiders and her floors were caving in.
Jones said she's been begging for repairs or a way out of her lease.
Shortly after WUSA9 aired her story on Wednesday, Jones said she was told repairs would be made the following day – Thursday morning.
“I got a call last night from my case worker that they were coming at 8:30. I’ve been here since 8:30 waiting for them to fix it. Moving stuff around my house so they can fix my house.” Jones said.
WUSA9 crews were there to capture the repairs. However, Jones said repairs weren't made because no one hired workers to move her furniture.
The morning was chaotic.
Jones's landlord, Theresa Fowler, with US Realty was there. WUSA9 asked her to clear up the confusion, but she refused to answer our questions.
At one point, Jones parked her vehicle in front of the driveway, boxing in her landlord preventing her from leaving.
Fowler yelled at Jones demanding her 30-day notice to vacate the unit.
“Give me your 30-day notice and move out!” Fowler said.
A few hours after the verbal argument, Fowler emailed WUSA9 a list of dates she said maintenance crew tried to make repairs. Fowler claims they made a few successful repairs but Jones was mostly never home so repairs were never made.
Jones told WUSA9 that the only repairs made were in November, which was a minor fix to the floor board in the corner of her room.
US Realty said it will allow Jones to break her lease which is up in September.
“I’m going to leave and I’m taking them to court. Don’t have a plan right now, I just have to start from zero but this is not it.” Jones said.
The Department of Housing told WUSA9 the landlord is not allowed to verbally kick Jones out. If the landlord wants to evict Jones, there is a process she must follow which includes the courts.
However, if Jones decides to take her landlord up on her verbal offer with no penalties, Jones is free to do so.