Attorney General Scwalb Secures Over $1 Million To Improve Conditions at Ward 7 Apartment Complex
Agreement with Mayfair Mansions Apartments Includes Security Upgrades & Requirements to Address Housing Code Violations
WASHINGTON, DC – Attorney General Brian Schwalb today announced that the owner and manager of Mayfair Mansions (Mayfair), a 410-unit affordable housing complex in Ward 7, will pay more than $1 million and make additional investments to improve the health and safety of its residents as part of a settlement agreement with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). After receiving resident complaints, OAG initiated an investigation and engaged in constructive negotiations with Mayfair, resulting in a settlement that includes payments to impacted tenants and historic investments to improve conditions and ensure the properties remain safe and habitable in the future.
“The tenants of Mayfair Mansions, like all District residents, deserve a safe and secure place to call home,” said Attorney General Schwalb. “After residents brought concerns about their housing conditions to OAG’s attention, our office engaged directly and constructively with Mayfair’s owners, ensuring that monetary compensation will be provided to its tenants, and that robust investments in building infrastructure, repairs, and security are promptly made.”
Mayfair Mansions Apartments is owned by Mayfair Mansions LP, a subsidiary of Enterprise Community Development (Enterprise), the largest nonprofit owner and developer of affordable homes in the Mid-Atlantic.When Enterprise Community Development purchased the property in 2019, it had already been in a persistent state of disrepair for years, and the company has stated that their plans for rehabilitation were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Enterprise cooperated with OAG’s investigation and worked with the office to develop a long-term plan to improve conditions and security for its residents.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Enterprise will:
Pay $1,040,000, a portion of which will be used by the District to refund tenants who were forced to live in poor conditions at the property.
Upgrade security. Mayfair will maintain armed special police officers at the property for a minimum of 262 hours per week, maintain lighting and security cameras at the property, repair and replace broken exterior doors, and tow abandoned vehicles.
Improve housing conditions. Mayfair will address all outstanding housing code violations within 30 days of the agreement and hire a pest control vendor to service the property at least once a month.
Provide quarterly reports. Mayfair will provide OAG with quarterly reports detailing updates on housing code violations and lists of resident complaints, to ensure ongoing compliance with DC law.
OAG will hold a public information session for Mayfair Mansions tenants in the coming weeks to provide additional information about the settlement and answer any questions from residents.
A copy of the settlement is available here.
This matter was handled by Assistant Deputy Attorney General Beth Mellen and Housing and Environmental Justice Section Chief Argatonia Weatherington.
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OAG works to make sure residents across the District have access to safe and affordable housing and holds landlords accountable if they violate the law. Access OAG’s resources to help renters and tips on how to report problems with your landlord or your housing conditions.