DeKalb County leaders tackling troubled apartment complex

By Brittany Kleinpeter, 11 Alive

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — The Villas at Embry Hills Apartment Homes has become a nuisance to both nearby homeowners and county leaders because of a trash pileup.

Nearby homeowners reached out to 11Alive complaining about a stench coming from the area. Our crews found piles of trash on Monday that appeared to have been sitting there for some time.

Deputy Director of Code Compliance for DeKalb County, Timothy Hardy, said the complex has been on the county's radar for several years, adding that they have made a total of five visits to the property since 2021 and fined management over $5,200 in the last two years for code violations.

"As the number of violations increase on a certain site, we add them to our list of frequent sweeps and this complex is on our list of frequent sweeps," said Hardy.

Complex Management also have an upcoming court date at the end of this month for their latest citations pertaining to trash, lack of business, license and code compliance certification.

Hardy said they are working to get property management to switch their trash pickup provider to the county vendor versus their current private vendor.

"We don't have the ability to eliminate it on the front end, it's primary reaction to what has already happened," explained Hardy.

However, sponsors of a new bill that's on its way to  Gov. Brian Kemp's desk said the Safe at Home Act could offer some hope.  

“It’s the landlord’s responsibility under (House Bill) 404 to make the home habitable," said State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver.

11Alive reached out to property management for the second day and we have not heard back yet.

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