A tenant told the Muncie Unsafe Building Hearing Authority on Oct. 9 that her unit at 7720 West Centennial is “unlivable,” citing caving floors, exposed framing, mold and prolonged inaction by property management.

“I contacted Melinda. ... The floors upstairs, the floors are caving in. There's a lot of soft spots. There's no beam holding the floor ... it was leaking,” tenant Lindsay Monroe said, describing water intrusion and mold exposure she said persisted while the property changed management. Monroe said the issues had made her family sick and that she and other tenants had been moved by management when conditions became unsafe.

The authority reiterated that the building as a whole is subject to a rehab order and that portions of the building remain occupied. The board voted to affirm the rehab order, levy a $5,000 civil penalty for the owner's failure to appear at the hearing, and continue the matter for 30 days. Staff asked the owner or their representative to obtain the required permits and schedule inspections, and the authority said an inspector’s sign-off before the next hearing could remove the need for the owner to appear.

The authority also advised the tenant about small-claims and self-help legal clinic resources for recovering moving or relocation expenses, and documented requests for an inspection and follow-up at the next meeting.