Phoenix man claims property manager is retaliating after reporting apartment issues

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Eric Baber moved into his apartment at 12 Palms in Phoenix last December. Nearly a year later, he is facing eviction, which he claims is retaliation for a host of issues he spoke up about.

“Everyone is nervous because they retaliate once people complain, if it is directly or to government agency, or just getting the word out,” said Baber.

Baber sent a letter to Zendoor at the end of September detailing issues and asking for a reimbursement.

He claims he had to fix the locks on the window and door himself after putting in service requests that went unanswered.

He also says he has been without running water and air conditioning on and off for up to a month at a time. The biggest issue is what he says appears to be mold in the ceiling and bathroom vent.

Baber says he isn’t the only one living in these conditions at the complex.

“I did everything within my contractual agreement but I started to assert my rights of complaining. Living with mold that is affecting my health. Living with roaches, living without locks to lock my doors to stay safe,” said Baber.

After sending the letter, Baber says he got an eviction notice on his door the following month.

The nonprofit Arizona Fair Housing Center is investigating Baber’s situation, but advocates said cases like this one are hard to prove and take resources many people don’t have.

“There is some entitlement to being reimbursed but it comes down to who is going to enforce that?” said Ryan Winkle, executive director of Arizona Fair Housing Center.

The Arizona Landlord Tenant Act states that a landlord can’t retaliate if a tenant has complained to the landlord or government agency about a violation. Baber is still pushing for accountability.

“It is all gross neglect and negligence,” said Baber.

Arizona’s Family reached out to Zendoor but hasn’t heard back.

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