COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Renters at one Columbia apartment complex are living without heat in these frigid temperatures, which is against the law.
Renters at the Park Apartments, at 1601 Longcreek Drive in Columbia, came to WIS News 10 in search of answers and help as the cold reaches dangerously freezing temperatures.
One woman said she has been living in an apartment without heat for a month.
The maintenance team at the Park Apartments said they currently have seven units without heat. There were more, but the maintenance team said they have made repairs since then.
The apartment complex told residents they are doing all they can to fix the heat, but one tenant said it is not enough.
“I have gotten no returned phone calls from them, I’ve sent emails., no email responses from them, I can’t get anywhere,” she said.
The renter asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.
“It makes you feel like they don’t care,” she said. “I’m sure they’re at home with heat. But there’s not just me that’s at that facility.”
It is against the law in the state of South Carolina to not provide heat to tenants in the winter months.
According to the S.C. Tenant Landlord Act, landlords must provide four essential services to renters ? running water, hot water, electricity and heat.
The resident told WIS News 10 she has not had heat since just before Christmas.
“It’s your responsibility now to do the job,” she said.
Her work put her up in a hotel on some cold nights, and in the meantime, she drives an hour on weekends to be with family in a heated home.
“It’s been a complete inconvenience,” she said. “It’s cold. The money spending on fuel, traveling back and forth back and forth.”
The apartment complex gave her a space heater, but Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins said that is not an appropriate resolution because space heaters are a fire hazard.
“You have a big sign out by the road that says ‘welcome home,’” she said. “You want people to feel like they’re coming home to a warm environment, a safe environment,” she said. “Take care of your residents. If you’re expecting them to pay you the rent, then you need to uphold your side of the bargain as well.”
That anonymous renter said management told her the heating unit in her apartment hasn’t been updated since the early 90s. The apartment complex, according to the tenant, said they do not have the money required to make repairs to the affected units.
A statement from the Park Apartments said it takes the “comfort and safety of its residents very seriously. We are actively working to resolve any outstanding issues that residents may be experiencing with their heat. We encourage all residents that are having issues with their heat to contact the management office.”
For residents who have issues with their landlord, they should consider looking at resources at the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center.
SC Appleseed is an advocacy organization for low income families.
According to the center, residents should inform their landlord of all issues in writing. The center also provides guidance for writing a 14-day letter to their landlord.
Attorneys tells WIS that these affected families at the Park Apartments have a few options.
They could go to county code enforcement, or file a claim against their landlord in the local magistrate court, asking a judge to order the fix.
The legal center says residents still should pay their rent when it is due and not harm the property in any way.
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