Judge Gives Tenant Deadline to Remove Belongings After Unsafe Apartment Dispute

Описание: An emotionally charged landlord–tenant dispute reaches a critical turning point as a judge denies a motion to dismiss and focuses the case on one unavoidable reality: the tenant must vacate. The tenant argues that severe water damage, mold, and unsafe conditions — caused by a faulty toilet wax ring and years of improper repairs — made the home uninhabitable and prevented her from safely retrieving her belongings. Movers have allegedly refused to enter the unit due to safety concerns, leaving her displaced with four children and no permanent housing.

The landlord, however, insists that the tenant has already vacated and that the only remaining issue is the removal of personal property. With no active lease in place and rent no longer being paid, the court makes it clear that delay is no longer justified. After tense exchanges and failed negotiations, the judge crafts a compromise: a conditional order of dismissal granting the tenant time to remove her belongings while avoiding an immediate eviction judgment.

The tenant is given until January 31, 2025 to remove all property from the unit. The disputed $2,500 in escrow will be addressed in a separate hearing once the move-out is complete. The ruling balances humanitarian concerns with legal realities — underscoring that unsafe living conditions may complicate responsibility, but they do not stop the clock forever.