After months of ongoing plumbing, heating, and air conditioning problems at a Mesquite apartment complex, a Dallas County judge has ordered the complex’s owners to address the issues, and provide hotel rooms to their residents while they do it.
The people living in the Hillcrest Apartments in Mesquite have been complaining of widespread issues for years.
According to residents, the apartments often lacked heating during winter and air conditioning during summer. They also complained of a lack of hot water year-round, as well as safety issues.
The City of Mesquite had previously tried without success to get the complex to improve its living conditions by fixing the reported heating, air conditioning, and water issues. The City also pushed the complex to reduce criminal activity.
Upon failure to get the owners of Hillcrest Apartments to comply with its demands, the City sued the complex.
The judge issued the order for the provision of hotel rooms to residents who lack heat or water in their apartments on March 11. The ruling requires the owners of Hillcrest Apartments to pay for hotel rooms for residents of the complex until improvements are made to the health and safety conditions of its units.
The judge’s decision met with the City of Mesquite’s approval.
Mesquite “is pleased with the result of today’s hearing that provides greater relief for residents of Hillcrest Apartments,” a city spokesperson commented to CBS 11 News.
Expected improvements to be made under the judge’s order include restoring hot water, heat, and AC.
Another hearing on the case is scheduled for April 1.
