Clearwater apartments condemned

CLEARWATER - Pinellas County Code Enforcement officers closed a row of apartments Tuesday, finding the rental units lacked water and electricity -- even as tenants continued paying.

"We got 15 days, they got it posted on the door," said resident Debra Turman. "This place isn't fit for humans, but I guess the roaches can stay!"

Electric service to the converted homes on Westminister Avenue was shut off Thursday, when sheriff's deputies investigated claims that electric was being stolen. Residents said the water had been shut off far longer, and that the landlord had dug an illegal well.

"That's part of the minimum housing code. You do need to have running water, sewer and electricity," said Todd Myers, the county's code enforcement director.

Myers said it also appears too many people were living in the homes. Officers said living rooms and hallways were walled in to create tiny makeshift bedrooms that then rented for $500 per month.

Myers said fines are likely and criminal charges are possible for the landlord.

Tuesday night Pinellas social services workers helped residents get vouchers for a free week in a nearby motel.

"Shower, lights. You name it they got it," said resident Diana Ford. She said her old room in the rental home was far too dangerous to sleep in with the windows open and too hot to sleep in without air conditioning.

"Very miserable, very miserable," she said.

Pinellas Property Appraiser's Office records indicate Safety Harbor resident Lawrence Ayers owns the rental homes, and another apartment building near Oldsmar that was also deemed uninhabitable earlier in June.

Myers said the conditions were similar to those on Westminister Avenue and there were also claims electricity was being stolen.

Ayers, formerly licensed as a real state sales associate according to state records, was arrested twice in 2008 on charges he violated housing regulations. He was unavailable for comment Tuesday.

Court records show Lawrence Ayers owes more than he paid for at least one of the Westminister buildings in 2001. The converted home at 15664 Westminister Avenue is currently in foreclosure and is due to be auctioned -- likely to a bank -- on July 14, according to court documents.

"Shame on you Lawrence for doing this to us," said Turman.

Residents were angry to learn of the looming sale, considering they recently paid their July rent.

"Just face the facts," said neighbor James Quinn. "You did us all wrong."

Myers, the county code enforcement director, said homeowners cannot simply walk away from a property -- even if a bank is about to seize it.

"He [Ayers] is responsible for the property up until that time," he said.