CINCINNATI – A mother of four says she spent a week in the heat with a broken air conditioner because her landlord refused to fix it.
Sade Sebastian said a little fan was the only relief she had.
"We had to sit right under the window to feel some air coming in," the West Price Hill woman said.
Her landlord wouldn't help her, nor would anyone else, she said.
"I called the health department. I called legal aid. I called so many different people," she said.
WCPO called the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority and the agency said Sebastian's family is part of the "Housing Choice Voucher Program." CMHA subsidizes her rent.
AC is not required, but if it is offered, the program requires landlords to repair it. However, there's no penalty for landlords if they don't comply. Sebastian's option would be to move out.
"I called the health department. I called legal aid. I called so many different people," she said.
WCPO called CMHA, and the agency said Sebastian's family is part of the "Housing Choice Voucher Program." AC is not required, but if it is offered, the program requires landlords to repair it. However-- there's no penalty for landlords if they don't comply. Sebastian's option would be to move out.
However, the Ohio Revised Code is on her side, a local attorney says. The ORC requires landlords to maintain air conditioning fixtures and appliances "in good and safe working order" and to "do whatever is reasonably necessary to keep the premises in a habitable condition."
CMHA put a new unit in Sebastian's apartment Wednesday.
"It's a big relief. My babies can come home now. I missed them," she said.
