Robert Cook says he feels hopeless and does not know what to do after purchasing a house on Ross street in June.
After 5 months of living next to a rental property at 174 Ross street, Cook says he and his family have been subjected to daily displays of public intoxication, vulgar language, yelling, a fist fight, and obvious, but difficult to prove drug behavior.
Cook found out that police have been called to 174 Ross street 24 times since 2014.
Cook decided to write to the landlord who owns the apartment house and ask if he could clean up the property and do something about the tenant’s behaviors.
After receiving a letter from landlord Duane Preston, Cook says he feels insulted after getting a condescending response in return, telling Cook he should have done his due diligence before he purchased the house.
Cook is asking City Council for guidance in the matter and asking for a systematic approach to hold landlords accountable for their tenant’s behaviors.
City Manager Dr. Martin Moore says the City is currently looking into what to do about landlords and problematic tenants after a recent Crime Task Force Meeting.
“We are looking to deal with the issue head-on.”
City Council President Eugene Jankowski and many Council members also expressed their concern with the landlord/tenant issues in the City at Tuesday nights Batavia City Council Business meeting.