Kelly Coleman has lived in the Dove Park Apartments for three years. She moved into the complex in September 2019 with her daughter and, since then, has needed repairs in her home.
She says she has been requesting the repairs non-stop.
“I had asked for a replacement microwave for three years and just got it replaced,” said Coleman speaking to The Dallas Express.
Coleman said that she has been in need of a working refrigerator as the one the complex provided makes “loud noises” and is over ten years old.
She claims that Melissa Noles, the complex’s property manager, as well as the repairmen with whom she has spoken, have repeatedly told her that the refrigerator is “brand new.”
The Dallas Express was provided with a picture of the refrigerator manufacturing label showing the date it was made: December 2012.
But these are just a small fraction of the repairs that Coleman has been requesting. She also needs repairs in her bathrooms.
“Both light fixtures in both bathrooms are rusted out and have burn marks on the ceiling from light bulbs,” Coleman said.
“I only use one light bulb for fear of a fire. Ben, the repairman, has said, ‘There is nothing wrong with them,’” Coleman claims.
Coleman’s windows have shown damage to them according to her and are in need of being replaced, as one of her windowpanes is shown to be held together by glue.
The Dove Park Apartment community was built in 1983 and has two stories with 262 units.
ApartmentFinder.com lists the complex rental price from $1,250-$1,615 for both one- and two-bedroom units.
Coleman told The Dallas Express that the electrical outlet under her sink is not safe and has recently started smoking. She claims Ben told her a week ago, “It’s working now.” And that the problem was with a small spoon stuck in the disposal that was causing it to catch fire.
She said the repairman told her nothing was wrong with the electrical outlet. “A previous maintenance guy literally got shocked from that same outlet when trying to fix it,” Coleman said. “He no longer works here, but I watched him as he got shocked.”
She also told The Dallas Express that there are other neighbors’ apartments in need of repairs just like hers.
“I have heard from talking to neighbors, it’s at least five other apartments,” Coleman said.
The complex has a list of complaints filed against it, according to James Adams, code enforcement for the city of Grapevine. “A lot of times people will call, but won’t give us their name because a lot of people in apartment complexes are afraid of retaliation,” Adams said, speaking to The Dallas Express.
“They’re afraid they are going to get put out, or their rent will go up, or something like that. We run into that problem all the time,” Adams said.
Coleman claims that when she asked about the repairs request, she was told, “They [property management] have put in the repairs request and will be right out.”
“I hope that all the repairs are done and done right. I also hope that this brings awareness to the entire apartment complex and that everyone that lives here knows that they have the right to safe housing for themselves and for their family,” Coleman added.
The Dallas Express has repeatedly reached out to the Dove Apartments for more information and comment but has not received any response.