COLUMBIA, S.C. — It has been more than 48 hours after renters in Boulder Creek Apartments were told to leave after the Columbia Fire Department said it found hazardous electrical problems throughout one building. Residents tell us the complex was set to provide them with hotel rooms for a third night Tuesday.
But residents don't know if they'll have a place to lay their heads the rest of the week. News19 is On Your Side to determine what a tenant's rights are
Carri Grube Lybarker is the administrator for the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs. She says these tenants are in within their legal rights to break the lease.
“They could break the lease but they have to give the proper notice and give the landlord the 14 days to fix the issue and then they can break the lease," said Grube Lybarker. "And then, they should get their security deposit back, and if there is any reason why the landlord would keep it and then, if they do keep part of it, it must be itemized for why they are keeping it. And if they have an issue with getting that security deposit back or want to get some other kind of damages, then they can likely go to Magistrates Court.”
Consumer Affairs does not have the right to tell landlords what to do but they can mediate between renters and property owners.
“So consumers can file complaints with us if they have landlord-tenant issues. We try to engage in voluntary mediation of those complaints because we don’t have statutory authority to tell a landlord what they can and cannot do but we can educate the consumer and the landlord on rights and responsibilities under that statute and try and come to resolution,” said Grube Lybarker.
We reached out to the Columbia-Richland Fire Department, which said they are asking the property management to get the building up to code as soon as possible.
News19 reached out to the management of the complex through the property manager, but have not heard back yet.