Tenant alleges persistent structural and life-safety hazards at 237 Longview; city to review after housing court

Rebecca Amos, a Bristol resident, told the Code Enforcement Committee that her home at 237 Longview Ave has multiple structural and life-safety problems and that the city closed her case without returning to verify repairs.

"These are not cosmetic issues. They involve the structure of the house and building envelope and conditions that continue to worsen when they are not properly corrected," Amos told the committee, listing mold, mice infestation, foundation leaks, ongoing water intrusion, a rotting deck, broken windows and concerns about smoke and carbon monoxide devices.

Amos said devices were provided but not verified as installed or functioning and that her case record was closed before reinspection. She said the property had been illegally subleased to her and that title irregularities made it difficult to identify who had legal authority over repairs.

City legal staff told the committee the title chain is confusing and suggested Amos raise irregularities in the housing-court proceeding scheduled for the next day. Legal staff said the corporate counsel’s office has reviewed title documents and that resolving the chain of title will be important for enforcement strategy. Building and health staff said they had issued a closeout letter and that some matters must be handled by the building department, health or fire depending on the violation.

The committee did not make any immediate enforcement decisions during the meeting; officials told Amos they would review her documentation, reconcile the building/health closeout and legal findings, and provide a written response after the outcome of the housing-court hearing.

Amos concluded by saying she would present the title and communications documents at her hearing and asked the city to follow up in writing afterward.