Residents of the 2M Apartments in Northeast D.C. are living in fear due to unlivable conditions and safety concerns they say are being exacerbated by property management company Avanath Capital Management. Issues including harassment, drug activity, and dangerous living conditions have prompted several tenants to take legal action against Avanath. The building’s problems reportedly worsened after Avanath acquired it in December 2021 from the original developer, GW Smith.
Residents like Paul Williams, who experienced a medical emergency that emergency services could not promptly address due to a lack of key access, and Zachary Phillips, who found black mold in his unit that management allegedly failed to address, feel their concerns are being ignored. Another resident, Richard Williams, suffered mold-related health issues that required hospitalization, yet Avanath did not heed doctors’ advice to relocate him.
The situation escalated when a neighbor’s apartment door was set on fire with them inside, leading residents to question Avanath’s ability to ensure their safety. The 2M Tenants Association has since filed a class-action lawsuit against Avanath as a last resort to demand change.
While Avanath claims to prioritize safety and is working with authorities to address the issues, residents point out the company’s absence from community meetings addressing the problems. The situation has reached a critical point, with residents feeling they have no choice but to take legal action to protect themselves and force Avanath to address the building’s dire living conditions.
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