NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
An Antioch father is fighting to get much needed repairs done to the home he rents in the 4700 block of Greystone Street.
Jamie Colebrooke told Nashville's News 2 that the living conditions put his 18-month-old son and his nine-year-old son at risk.
The home has broken windows, bad floors, unsecured doors and an air conditioner in need of repairs.
"We have been dealing with the AC and all this stuff since May," Colebrooke said. "Every time it is a different story, he will send somebody out for an estimate then say it is too much."
Colebrooke said the family was told needed repairs would be made within a couple of weeks of moving into the house in May.
"I want to make sure this stuff is fixed because when I go back into the military I can't be worried about my kids," Colebrooke said.
Nashville's News 2 attempted to contact the property manager Luis Del Mazo. He did not return multiple messages for comment.
Metro-Nashville land records list the property's owner as Martin Juarez of Garden Grove, California.
Attempts to contact him were also unsuccessful. Only a P.O. Box was given for an address.
"If I have got to get out of my lease, I have got to get out of my lease," Colebrooke said. "I would need 30 days in order to find a house."
The city Codes Department recently came out and inspected the property. The landlord has until July 31 to make the extensive repairs. So far the tenant says nothing has been done.
In a letter dated July 12 to the property owner, the codes inspector cited multiple violations and ordered a number of repairs.
They include repairing the dishwasher, replacing the kitchen floor, replacing all broken windows, repairing both outside faucets, repairing the front and rear thresholds, replacing the front storm door and repairing the air conditioner.
The letter also notes that the landlord failed to register with Davidson County as required.
If the repairs are not completed and the landlord is not registered before July 31, he faces a fine of $50 for each offense for each day it continues.
The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands works with families like the Colebrookes who need help dealing with tenant landlord disputes.
"A frequent problem we see is tenants who think they can provide verbal notice to landlords of any defects in the premises and that is sufficient," Managing Attorney Steven Christopher said.
Christopher said many counties in Middle Tennessee abide by the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act. It is a statute that spells out tenant and landlord rights.
According to Christopher, counties with 68,000 residents or more, are bound by the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act.
"If the steps haven't been remedied, the only way for the tenant to compel the landlord would be to sue the landlord," Christopher said. "Tenants can do that on their own by filing a claim in General Sessions court which is like a small claims court."
Colebrooke has not filed suit against his landlord.
"It is ridiculous," he said. "If it were his house it would be taken care of."
Nashville's News 2 will continue to follow this story for updates.
