NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Aqua Vista Apartments in Newport News has a lot of work to do.
Newport News city inspectors found violations at nearly every unit at the Aqua Vista Apartments after residents urged the city to help improve their living conditions.
A city spokesperson confirmed with 10 On Your Side’s Andy Fox that inspectors found violations at 145 of the 150 units at the complex, and 312 violations in total.
“None of these violations are considered life safety issues that would have required condemnation or required the owners to relocate any tenants,” said city spokesperson Kim Lee. “They are maintenance related violations.”
Here is the list of the violations:
- 304.14 Windows and Screens (e.g., missing screens, not functioning properly)
- 304.15 Doors (e.g., holes, off hinge, missing knobs, not functioning properly)
- 305.3 Interior Walls/Surfaces (e.g., holes, chipped/peeling paint)
- 305.4 Walking Surfaces (e.g., missing/broken tiles)
- 305.6 Interior Doors (e.g., holes, off hinge, missing knobs, not functioning properly, missing lock)
- 305.2 Plumbing Fixtures (e.g., missing faucets and/or knobs, faucets or knobs not functioning properly or leaking)
- 504.1 Plumbing Systems (e.g., toilet leaking or damaged)
- 602.2 Heating System/Supply (e.g., unit not working efficiently, filter clogged)
- 604.3 Electrical Fixtures/System (e.g., light fixtures or wall outlets not working properly, exposed wire, missing globes)
- 704.1 Smoke Alarms (e.g., not installed, low battery, not working)
The owner of Aqua Vista now must correct the violations by March 2.
It isn’t the first time 10 On Your Side has looked into Aqua Vista. In 2018, city inspectors found 74 violations to the apartment complex, including 37 notices regarding units with inadequate air conditioning systems. Other problems included faulty plumbing, mold, broken doors and windows and rodents.
Wednesday’s news comes just two weeks after residents gathered to protest the living conditions at the complex, which is privately-owned but receives federal funding.
WAVY News went in two of the apartments Wednesday, and the tenants who live there disagree with Lee’s statement that the violations are not considered life safety issues.
“We’ve been living like this for almost a month now, “ says Ira Gregory, whose bathroom has a clogged toilet and no ceiling. He says it’s been like this for months.
Water was visible coming up through the tub drain when the shower upstairs was on. Water was also coming down into the tub from the upstairs unit.
“I don’t take a bath man, my kids haven’t taken a bath in almost a month, we can’t even use the tub. We have no water pressure in our sink. To take a bird bath, we have to use the kitchen,” he said.
Aqua Vista management hasn’t fixed the bathroom issues, but they did give him a dehumidifier, he said. He’s wondering why they just don’t’ fix it.
“We have to move because we complained, and I went to the office myself,” Gregory said.
10 On Your Side then went to Katie Dublin’s apartment, which was inspected Jan. 27. She couldn’t be there so she posted a list of what was wrong on the wall.
“I posted these to tell them the issues of this apartment, so they would know what I am dealing with,” she said.
There’s water all over her floor because there is an issue with the toilet fixtures which, according to the city, is one of the major violations.
“I come in, I turn on the light to see where the water is coming from, I come over to the toilet, and it’s just leaking non stop,” she said.
She has to turn the water off to stop the leak, and then turn it back on to flush the toilet. It’s not clear whether one of the violations stemmed from the issues in Dublin’s apartment, but the leak was visible Wednesday.
“I am not a plumber, so I don’t know what to do,” she said.
When 10 On Your Side went to the Aqua Vista management office, the door was locked but people could be seen moving the blinds in the window while WAVY News stood outside.
Management called Newport News Police and told them to tell 10 On Your Side not to return to the property.
Dublin said it’s “clear” why the management wouldn’t want WAVY News on the property.
“They don’t want you to see what is going on in all of these apartments,” Dublin said. “That is why it’s important for 10 On Your Side to be here… They are hiding things and you are finding them… We need to you let people know what is going on, and we need your help.”
