'Unsafe and unhabitable': Lawsuit demands urgent repairs at Johnson Lake Apartments

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. -- "Unsafe and unhabitable," that's how some are describing certain units at Johnson Lake Apartments in Ferry Pass.

Tenants are now suing the building's owner because they claim repairs have not been done following damage from Hurricane Sally.

A judge issued a court order back in December 2023 related to this case. Sixteen months later, the building is still accruing nearly $1,000 a day in fines because of open code enforcement cases.

An attorney for several tenants says they aren't asking for monetary damages. They just want the place fixed up.

"We're not asking for stars and moons," said John Mayes, disaster coordination attorney with Legal Services of North Florida, Inc.

All Mayes' clients want is a safe and healthy place to live. He represents five people who either currently live or have lived at Johnson Lakes.

"Since '23, we've had 15 cases on the property," said Timothy Day, deputy director, natural resource management department. "Could be anything from not taking care of the pool, not taking care of the grounds, to interior units where there's issues with wiring, issues with plumbing..."

He explains the biggest issue in which residents are facing.

"There's a fair number of residents who don't have heat or air conditioning," Day said.

In a lawsuit filed last week, tenants are asking for nine things from the owners, including all necessary repairs, assistance in finding alternative housing and ceasing threats.

They also mention not notifying collection agencies, unless they have a court order, and not renting to new tenants until all problems are fixed.

The lawsuit filed against Landmark Property Management Company alleges as of November 2023, 60 of the 160 units didn't have a/c. It's a problem that's costing the company $750 a day.

Mayes says that complicates an issue with mold that they haven't been allowed to test yet.

"You have mold growing and then you have units that are not being properly cooled," said Mayes. "So that increases naturally. That will increase mold. And then you have other units that do have central heating and air that are pumping this molded air. Of what quantity? We still don't know. [It's] throughout the entire complex."

According to the lawsuit, Mayes tried to hire a mold inspector to come onto the property. An email from the owner's attorney said anyone who came on site would be arrested and trespassed.

WEAR News reached out to the lawyer representing Johnson Lakes, who says his clients have no comment. While litigation is pending, they nor representatives from Landmark are advised to provide commentary on the matter.

"Our housing situation in Pensacola is not fantastic. And so these people are really stuck and somewhat hopeless and helpless because a lot are on housing assistance," Mayes said. "A lot of people that reside there, they're 55 plus. They're on fixed incomes. There's a number of reasons that prevent them from easily being able to move. That said, you know, they do want to stay there. They like the complex and it just needs to be an livable state."

So what's next? Mayes says they'll have a hearing to go over testimony and evidence. Right now, the court hasn't set a date for that.

Read the full lawsuit below: