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Allegations of safety and management issues in Pierce County rental housing

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

This list of stories illustrates Pierce County rental properties that allegedly have faced long-standing issues with unsafe conditions, poor maintenance and management failures. Some owners have been accused of neglecting repairs for things like fire damage, broken pipes, leaky roofs or electrical problems.

Some tenants allege they have to live with mold exposure or raw sewage leaks for long periods, which can lead to health problems. Many cases show slow action by property owners and disputes between owners, tenants and city officials over responsibility and repairs.

Ramallah Apartments, formerly the Sherwood Apartments, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, in Fife, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 1: ONCE A CRIME HOT SPOT, THIS PIERCE COUNTY APARTMENT COMPLEX IS TURNING THINGS AROUND

The News Tribune took a tour to see what progress has been made. | Published September 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by bmost@thenewstribune.comBecca Most

The St. James Apartments building in downtown Tacoma, Washington, shown on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. By Tony Overman

NO. 2: WOMAN SUES TACOMA PROPERTY COMPANY, SAYING MOLD EXPOSURE LEFT HER PERMANENTLY DISABLED

A woman is suing The Neiders Company, which owns 30 apartment complexes in the Tacoma area, for negligence. | Published December 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by bmost@thenewstribune.comBecca Most

The Melody Apartments has been the source of many issues since a structural fire in 2020 and it’s remaining tenats continue to face issues, on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Lakewood, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 3: PIERCE COUNTY APARTMENTS WERE UNSAFE FOR YEARS. WHY DID PEOPLE STILL LIVE THERE?

After a fire in 2020, property owners made repairs without obtaining the necessary permits, city says. | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Karwan Village, where the city of Lakewood has filed a lawsuit against for being a nuisance property, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Lakewood, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 4: ‘UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION.’ PIERCE COUNTY CITY SUES MOBILE HOME PARK AS NUISANCE

“The Property remains without power or water and continues to be illegally occupied by squatters and transients,” according to the suit. | Published April 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

Ramallah Apartments, formerly the Sherwood Apartments, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, in Fife, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 5: THIS PIERCE COUNTY APARTMENT COMPLEX WAS A CRIME HOT SPOT. CAN NEW OWNER BRING CHANGE?

Violent crime, vagrancy came as a result of on-site management leaving tenants without support for years. | Published June 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.