MOULTRIE, Ga. (WALB) — Residents at Forest Apartments in Moultrie say problems with maintenance, repairs, and living conditions have left them feeling neglected and questioning whether they are being treated with the dignity they deserve.

Several residents who spoke with WALB described long waits for repairs, water and plumbing problems, mold and mildew concerns, pest issues, overgrown grass, and appliances they say have not been properly repaired or replaced.

The concerns come from residents who say they rely on the complex for their housing, including elderly and disabled residents.

‘This place is for the handicapped and the elderly’

Maricela Resendez has lived at Forest Apartments for about 20 years. She told WALB conditions have deteriorated in recent years.

Resendez described several problems inside her apartment, including a bathroom that she says was unusable for about two weeks. She says when she asked what she was supposed to do, she was told to find an empty apartment. Instead, she says she used a five-gallon bucket at night.

Resendez also says she was without a working stove for more than a year after hers malfunctioned. She says the stove malfunctioned more than once, including an incident she says nearly knocked her to the floor. Resendez says friends and family eventually helped prepare her meals.

She says the long waits for repairs are especially frustrating because residents are still expected to pay their rent on time.

“When it’s time for the rent, it’s day one, right then,” Resendez said. “This place is for the handicapped and the elderly.”

Resendez also described accessibility concerns during renovations and says she has had to pay out of pocket for pest control treatment.

Other residents report similar concerns

WALB spoke with several other residents who described problems they say have gone unresolved.

Vanessa Warren says her air conditioning has been out for more than two years despite multiple attempts get it fixed. She also described concerns about mold, and said she believes similar issues exist in other apartments.

Kimberly Ashley told WALB she has experienced problems with exterior maintenance, appliances, and other repairs.

She described the conditions as embarrassing.

“I feel like we’re living in, like, the slums,” Ashley said.

Willie J. Bell II says he started a petition after becoming frustrated with conditions at the complex. He says the petition has about 25 signatures and includes complaints about stoves, electrical problems, holes in ceilings, mildew, and mold. Bell also described a dispute involving a water leak and utility bills. He says his water/sewer bill was around $220 before increasing to approximately $360 for a water-only bill while he was dealing with the leak.

Tenants cite overgrowth, pests, and mold

Other tenants say basic property upkeep has been neglected for extended periods of time. Residents provided photos showing holes penetrating ceiling drywall, active plumbing leaks, and areas of mold growth inside living spaces.

Tenants also reported finding snakes and other pests inside and around the complex, pointing, in part, to groundskeeping delays in which grass remained uncut for more than a month.

Several residents said repeated repair requests submitted to on-site management have resulted in little to no action, prompting 25 households to sign a collective petition demanding formal intervention.

WALB contacted Forest Apartments property management and requested a detailed response to the residents’ complaints, as well as a response to the pending petition.

“As you probably know by now, Ms. Carole has signed and will no longer be managing Forest Apartments. We are in the process of hiring someone new, so please put all work orders, complaints, or other concerns in writing with your name, unit number, and phone number and put them through the office door or come by on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 9-5 to discuss.”

Residents say they want more than individual repairs. They want accountability for how their complaints are handled and who is responsible for making sure problems are addressed.

WALB is continuing to investigate who owns and operates Forest Apartments, what oversight applies to the property, and what inspection, maintenance, and complaint records show.

For residents like Resendez, the issue ultimately goes beyond a broken appliance or an overdue repair. She says residents deserve to feel respected in the place they call home.

“I think that we should be taken care of.”

She added that she believes residents are being forgotten when it comes to basic “love” and “respect.”

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