Tenant and owner clash at Memorial Drive hearing as authority affirms rehab order, orders inspection

MUNCIE, Ind. — The Muncie Unsafe Building Hearing Authority affirmed a rehabilitation order for property at 92234 West Memorial Drive and ordered a building inspection prior to the next hearing after staff documented roof deterioration, missing fascia and interior problems at one unit.

Owner Chandan Shaha told the authority he had submitted an insurance claim for roof repairs and had completed most of the minor interior fixes; he asked the authority to allow an inspection so staff could cross off completed items. A former tenant, Danielle Hedison, who said she moved out July 31, described long-standing maintenance failures including a broken bathroom window and electrical issues she said were not fixed to code and said she had sued the owner to be released from the lease.

The owner requested a city statement clarifying that the inspection report is a repair order and not a vacate order; staff responded that the board acts on the building commissioner’s repair order and that the authority cannot tell tenants whether they must vacate. The authority instructed the building commissioner’s office to inspect for possible foundation and electrical issues and to reinspect work if repairs are done before the next hearing. The authority then voted to affirm the rehabilitation order, continue the matter 30 days and require an inspection.

Danielle Hedison said she had reported a window that stopped working May 20 and roof leakage that grew over months before she moved out; she described maintenance visits that she said used temporary or inadequate fixes. Owner Shaha said he had repaired many items and had insurance underway for the roof. The authority asked staff to inspect the foundation where the tenant had reported bowing near the bathroom window and to review electrical work cited by the tenant.