The Muncie City Unsafe Building Hearing Authority on July 10 affirmed a rehabilitation order for 1200 South Mulberry Street, Apartment 6, and assessed a $2,500 fine against the property owner for failing to comply with a prior order and failing to appear at the hearing.

The action followed testimony from Daniel Vance, who identified himself as the tenant of Apartment 6 and described multiple habitability problems, including “severe interior damage, rotted wood in the bathroom, faucets not working, holes in the wall, burn hole near stove, [and] severe sagging of living room and bedroom floors.” Vance said he had raised the issues with the owner but had been unable to get repairs completed: “I can’t get them to fix anything, ma’am.”

City staff reported a recent inspection showing the unit’s condition and recommended the authority adopt the building commissioner’s report. The hearing record shows the owner of record did not appear. The authority moved to affirm the rehab order and impose a $2,500 fine; the motion carried and the case was continued for 30 days for follow-up.

Why this matters: staff said the condition carries risks to tenants’ health and safety and the fine was levied because the property owner failed to respond to previous orders and did not attend the hearing.

The authority gave the owner 30 days to show progress and directed staff to provide the tenant with the hearing record. City staff advised the tenant to contact Yvonne Thompson at the human rights department for possible additional assistance. The record indicates two authority members voted in favor and one voted against the fine and continued order; the hearing notes state “You got 2 out of 3.”

Next steps: the matter will return to the Unsafe Building Hearing Authority at the next scheduled hearing for a progress check and to review any further inspections or remedial actions.