RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio — This week’s frigid temperatures are becoming too much for some at an apartment complex in Richmond Heights, who said they haven’t had heat for weeks and, in some cases, months.
“Oh, it’s real cold.”
“It’s been rough.”
“It’s freezing. It’s literally freezing.”
These are the kinds of words you might expect to hear in the frigid temperatures hitting northeast Ohio this week. But these tenants at 444 Park Apartments aren’t describing the outside, they’re talking about what it’s like inside their apartments.
“It’s hell,” said Danielle Brown, who has lived at the complex since 2017.
Brown said she’s had an “okay” living experience until about a month and a half ago when her heat stopped blowing inside her apartment.
“It’s getting to the point where I’m sick because I have a health issue because I have graves disease and it’s like, either they’re going to do something about it or I’m leaving,” she said.
Space heaters have helped but she says apartment management has not. She says she got a notice from the complex on her door a couple weeks ago saying her unit would need to be replaced. Others said their calls and visits have gone unanswered.
“It’s been rough. It’s been rough,” said another woman who didn’t want to be identified. “It’s like I don’t even want to go in the house cause it’s so cold. I’d rather stay out and go different places where it’s warm.”
She said she hasn’t had heat in her apartment since she moved in four months ago and she and her kids are feeling it.
“My kids, they complain. They tell me all of the time that they’re cold. When we get under the blanket together their feet are freezing and my feet’s freezing and it’s just ridiculous,” she said. “My biggest concern is staying warm, especially for my children.”
3News’ Matt Rascon went to the leasing office for answers. They told him the property manager was in a meeting and unavailable. They said they have one HVAC technician who works on site and they’re doing all they can to replace and repair heating units. They would not confirm how many people have been impacted or why it has taken so long for some tenants.
“It’s freezing. It’s literally freezing. I woke up feeling like I was outside,” said Aaron Brown who has lived by himself in the complex for more than three years.
Aaron said this is at least the second time his heat has gone out while living here. This latest episode has lasted two weeks, he said.
“What I had to do is I had to crack open the oven which isn’t safe for real. And, you know, my mom concerned about me staying here because of that,” he said. “The heat situation is an ongoing issue.”
Other tenants at 444Park Apartments said they have heat but no hot water in their apartments. 3News also reached out to the management company and the property manager by email and by phone Tuesday. We are still waiting for a response as of Tuesday night.