Mold, Roaches, Rodents Prompt Massive Apartment Inspections

SILVER SPRING, MD — Inspections have been ordered at The Enclave Silver Spring after officials reportedly found hundreds of housing code violations last year and the county executive called the dwelling conditions unacceptable. The three-building apartment complex is located in White Oak near the intersection of Routes 29 and 650.

In September of 2018, the Department of Housing and Community Affairs inspected 262 apartments and found 367 violations, according to Montgomery County officials. Starting Jan. 8, DHCA will inspect the remaining 857 apartments at the complex.

"It is unacceptable to live in such conditions. I appreciate the DHCA working with partners to make these inspections happen quickly and showing responsiveness in stepping up the inspection process," said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich when he ordered the inspections. "This is a first step in correcting deficiencies and other impediments to providing a healthy and safe environment at the property. We are committed to addressing these problems as expeditiously as possible."

Back in September, authorities identified 367 violations, or 1.4 violations per unit, officials said. Of that total, 60 were life safety-related violations, including mold and roaches.

"No one should have to live with mold, roaches and rodents," said Councilmember Tom Hucker, who represents District 5, home to the apartment complex. "It's outrageous that inspectors found more than 360 housing code violations in only 23 percent of the units there. I'm grateful that the county executive ordered the Housing Department to meet my request to inspect 100 percent of the units. These are clearly problem units that need regular inspections to document the conditions and put pressure on the landlord to fix them."

According to officials, there has been an uptick in the number of complaints at the complex. Montgomery County received 113 complaints in 2018. During the previous four years, there were 41 complaints.

"The surge inspection at The Enclave Silver Spring is part of DHCA's implementation of Bill 19-15, a tenant protection measure that calls for stepped-up inspections of multifamily apartments," officials said in a statement. "Bill 19-15 requires a two-year intensive inspection program to be completed by July 1, 2019. This program is underway and will identify troubled properties. Thus far, of the 689 applicable multifamily rental properties in Montgomery County, 590 properties, or 86 percent, have been inspected or are set to be inspected soon. Altogether, over 21,000 units have been inspected under Bill 19-15's two-year 'inspection surge.'"

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