Winston-Salem City Leaders Move Forward on Rolling Hills Apartments

WINSTON-SALEM- The city of Winston-Salem says it's stepping in to deal with problems at the Rolling Hills apartment complex.

City officials say they're going to start assessing heavy fines over problems like leaky toilets and other issues at the apartments off Martin Luther King drive.

For years the units at Rolling Hills apartments have gone through inspections and Winston-Salem city leader say for years a majority of them failed. City Councilman Derwin Montgomery said the city had been fair to ownership.

"They're the worst I've seen in Rolling Hills over the time I've been on council and seen some of the issues we've had there,” said Montgomery.

On Thursday, they made it clear they won't stand for negligent property managers after 110 units went through inspections, yet again.

"Out of those, more than 90 of those units found violations of minimum housing code. Orders have been sent out to the owners to repair those units,” said Montgomery.

Things like faulty smoke detectors, infestation, mold and leaking sewage still need to be addressed in many of the units.

The city has used emergency funds to relocate two occupants and are currently helping four more occupants find a new temporary home. Mayor Allen Joines expects the owners to reimburse the city.

"Because it is their responsibility to have safe decent places for people to live. Our main thing was to get people out those conditions," said Major Joines.

Mayor Joines says a new buyer has come into the picture to purchase the property. However, they will hold the current owners responsible for the violations then hold the new ones to state standards.

"If they're not repaired and still occupied, we'll start levying fines,” said Mayor Joines, “[The fines will be] $350 for the first day and $100 per day thereafter."

Councilman Montgomery has a message for other property managers in Winston-Salem.

"If not, the City of Winston Salem will put their feet to the fire,” said Montgomery.

Now the city will have to have a hearing for each of failed inspection.

The owner of the Rolling Hills complex sent a statement late Thursday afternoon.

It says "The Aspen companies is addressing all violations as quickly and thoroughly as possible. We have hired an outside contractor, which has dispatched six workers to the complex. As soon as we learn the exact nature of violations, we will make repairs immediately."

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