Residents at the 2M Apartments in Northeast Washington D.C. are suing their property management, Avanath Capital Management, citing what they describe as “unlivable” conditions and safety concerns. The lawsuit comes amidst ongoing issues at the 2M Street apartment complex, located near the site of a recent quadruple shooting, leaving tenants feeling unsafe and neglected.
The tenants of these 2m Street Apartments express extreme frustration with Avanath Capital Management, alleging a failure to address critical problems within the building. These issues reportedly range from persistent harassment and illegal drug activity to severely hazardous living conditions that endanger residents’ health and well-being.
Paul Williams, a resident of 2M Street apartments since 2016, detailed a marked decline in living conditions after Avanath Capital Management acquired the property from GW Smith in December 2021. His experience underscores the severity of the neglect. In April 2022, during a medical emergency in his apartment, emergency responders were delayed in accessing his unit due to management’s failure to provide a necessary key. “They had to call the fire department to break down my door,” Williams recounted, highlighting a critical safety lapse at the 2M Street apartments.
Another tenant, Zachary Phillips, described a distressing battle with black mold infestation within his 2M Street apartment. “It’s growing. It’s worse today than it ever has been, and it will continue to be that way,” Phillips stated, indicating the property management’s inaction despite repeated complaints. Phillips and his partner eventually felt compelled to move out of their 2M Street apartment, reporting immediate relief from respiratory issues upon leaving. “Literally breathe easier,” Phillips noted, emphasizing the direct impact of the apartment conditions on their health.
Richard Williams, another resident of 2M Street apartments, shared an even more alarming experience related to mold exposure. He was hospitalized, and doctors discovered a severe mold infestation in his body, stating he was “85% full of mold.” Despite a doctor’s urgent recommendation for relocation to protect his health, Avanath Capital Management allegedly failed to provide any assistance or alternative housing for Mr. Williams at 2M Street apartments.
The situation at 2M Street apartments reached a critical point following a recent arson incident where a neighbor’s apartment door was intentionally set on fire while she and her child were inside. Fares Akremi, a resident and member of the 2M Tenants Association, expressed outrage that “The assailant… still lives here because Avanath can’t get its act together.” This incident further fueled tenants’ fears and highlighted the alleged lack of security and responsiveness from Avanath at the 2M Street apartments.
Frustrated by the continued neglect and lack of response from property management, the 2M Tenants Association has initiated a class-action lawsuit against Avanath Capital Management. This legal action represents a last resort effort by the residents of 2M Street apartments to compel Avanath to address the hazardous conditions and prioritize tenant safety.
In response to the lawsuit, an Avanath spokesperson stated that the company places a high priority on resident safety and is actively collaborating with local authorities to improve the situation at 2M Street apartments. However, residents pointed out Avanath’s conspicuous absence from a recent emergency community meeting on August 7th with Chief Smith and other building managers, further eroding tenant trust and confidence in Avanath’s commitment to resolving the issues at 2M Street apartments.
The lawsuit underscores the serious allegations of neglect and unsafe living conditions at 2M Street apartments, raising questions about property management accountability and tenant rights in Washington D.C. The case will likely highlight the ongoing struggle of tenants seeking safe and habitable housing and the legal avenues available to them when property management fails to meet its obligations at 2M Street apartments.
