Tenant pleads case against StarPoint

Tenants attended City Council meetings out of frustration about what had been occurring at the apartment complex and criticized the property owner. They also asked for help from the city attorney.

In October 2007, after a five-month investigation, the city found that the property companies violated the just-cause-for-eviction ordinance. The city then filed a criminal complaint, which was resolved when attorneys for the companies and tenants reached their agreement.

StarPoint Executive Vice President Michael Farahnik offered Mills and the other tenants in the current civil case two times the cost of their rent, plus an additional $500. Mills and the tenants refused his offer.

Mills believes her experience during the construction at the complex was chaotic. The construction workers, she said, were often left unsupervised.

“It was like a free-for-all,” she said.

Holes on walls were left open and unfinished in her apartment, Mills said. Construction hours often extended past 10 p.m., and tenants were given late notices that the water was going to be shut off, she said. Mills had to get acupuncture therapy for the lack of sleep she suffered during the construction. She believes the properties owners were trying to push the tenants out of the apartment complex.

“They wanted people to move so they don’t have to pay for relocation fees,” Mills said.

But Farahnik said StarPoint had performed construction on the complex because the piping was old and worn.

“This is work that had to be done,” he said. “No ifs, ands or buts.”