maintenance

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Fire doors have not been repaired

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The inspection of 3003 Van Ness by the DC Department of Buildings found that most doors to apartments lack a self-closing mechanism, which is necessary for fire safety.

This fire safety issue was reported by DOB inspectors, but it appears that only a few doors have been updated with a spring mechanism that would close the door automatically as the resident exits his or her apartment. This is necessary to slow the spread of fire in the case of an emergency.

The tenant association recently began an informal survey of residents to find out how many doors have been repaired. So far, 95% of respondents report that the doors have not been repaired.

It isn’t clear why Equity Residential is not addressing this fire safety issue.

VNSTA sends letter to Equity Residential about deteriorating conditions

Harry Gural, president of the Van Ness South Tenants Association, today sent a sharply worded letter to Josh Luper, property manager for Equity Residential corporation for 3003 Van Ness.

The letter describes worsening conditions at the building, including extremely loud work on the exterior facade that likely will go on all year, frequent disruptions in hot water, serious problems with elevators, building cleanliness, security, front desk staff, new food and package delivery protocols, and other issues.

The letter concludes:

“As long as the Equity Residential corporation continues to treat its customers in this way, the tenant association will continue to report its behavior to the proper authorities – whether to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, the DC Council, the DC Attorney General and the relevant federal authorities. The company cannot treat tenants this way without paying a reputational price. We strongly suggest that it begin to treat residents as valued customers, and quickly reverse the serious deterioration of conditions at 3003 Van Ness.”

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DCRA orders Equity Residential to start covering up evidence of damage in underground garage

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Equity Residential today started covering over damaged areas of the garage at 3003 Van Ness, concealing areas that require thorough inspection. Equity’s action was taken on the order of the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, which had made a quick tour of the area accompanied by Equity Residential management on Friday.

DCRA, which did not have the area inspected by a certified structural engineer, licensed plumber or waterproofing consultant, moved quickly on Friday to tell Equity to cover over the damage. Equity Residential, which had allowed these problems to languish for months, acted with lightening speed to cover the areas after DCRA instructed it to make unspecified repairs.

The Van Ness South Tenants Association sent a letter to DCRA Director Mr. Ernest Chrappah on Saturday immediately after learning of the cover up. The letter states….

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Tenants association releases report on the deteriorating building at 3003 Van Ness

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The Van Ness South Tenants Association today released an extensive report on the condition of the buildings at 3003 Van Ness, including vivid photos of likely structural problems, security issues and safety hazards.

The tenants association sent the report with a letter to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), requesting an extensive inspection of 3003 Van Ness. DCRA has fined Equity Residential, which manages the building, many times. VNSTA calls on DCRA to investigate, and if it finds substantial violations, to assess Equity Residential with additional fines sufficient to deter such behavior in the future.