ORLANDO – Residents at an Orlando condominium say they are concerned after Orange County officials posted notices declaring several buildings unsafe for human occupancy, leaving some residents questioning whether they should remain in their homes.

 

The notices posted at The Plaza Condominiums state: “DANGER — THIS STRUCTURE IS DEEMED UNSAFE FOR HUMAN OCCUPANCY.” Residents said they were surprised to see the orange-tagged notices around several buildings and frustrated that they had not received clear information from their homeowners association or property management. “The county is telling us that it is life threatening, but we haven’t been notified by our HOA,” one resident said. The resident, who has lived at the complex for five years, asked not to be identified because she feared retaliation. She said she pays about $1,600 in rent and is worried about what will happen if residents are forced to leave.

“We feel scared because we don’t know what’s next,” she said. “We don’t know if it’s even safe to be in there right now, and we’re still expected to pay rent.”

Officials with the county state the property has maintenance issues and is currently under multiple Code Compliance violations and accruing fines.

County records obtained by News 6 cite in the Field Investigation Inspection “all structures observed showed significant structural and life-safety concerns affecting the first, second and third floors.”

When it comes to one of the buildings (1932 Lake Atriums Drive) in a statement from the county’s Building Safety, “that egress conditions for residences on floors 2 and 3 are not in compliance with the building code. In short, one stairway is currently available instead of two for safe access to floors 2 and 3.”

The safety issues has added to residents’ concerns, particularly for families with children and older residents who fear of finding alternative housing.

“Very concerning. There are lots of children, old people who live here,” a resident said. “There are a lot of people who would be displaced. We didn’t have a safe place to live.”

Residents said they have received little information from management about the situation.

When asked whether management had provided any details, one resident said they had been told only that they might receive emails.

During the News 6 report, we reached out to management and the HOA for questions but didn’t receive a response at the time of the report.

Orange County officials said the property representatives have hired an engineering and contracting firm to address the issues as quickly as possible.

The county said its staff have consulted with the property’s engineer and discussed possible alternatives that could be implemented quickly. Officials said they are awaiting a response and are prepared to assist with the process.

The county also emphasized that no residents have been displaced by the county at this time.

Residents say they want the structural concerns addressed immediately.

“If the county say there are issues, then it needs to be something absolutely done immediately. So that further hazards are not in place, we’re not in danger, and the building doesn’t come crashing down on us,” one resident said.

UPDATE:

Following a News 6 report, the condominium’s HOA responded Thursday to a request for a statement regarding concerns about the building’s safety issues. Separately, the Orange County Division of Building Safety provided News 6 a follow-up response.

STATEMENT FROM ORANGE COUNTY DIVISION OF BUILDING SAFETY:

“The Division of Building Safety has been in contact with the property management company and its project engineer. At this point, it is up to the property management company to make the necessary repairs to bring the buildings into compliance to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of residents. Any questions about the status of the repairs, and what information has been given to residents, need to be directed to the property management company.

It is the obligation of Orange County Division of Building Safety to inform residents and property owners/managers where building code violations affecting life safety are present. The notice posted on the property serves as public record with the intent to gain compliance. We are confident this issue will be resolved through collaboration in a timely manner.

Any request for residents to vacate the property within a certain timeframe did not come from the Division of Building Safety. The eight units cited for structural issues do not meet the requirements of “imminent danger” per section 112.1 of the International Property Maintenance Code. While Building Safety is not authorized to require the units vacated, the County supports the decision by property management to vacate these units until repairs are made."

STATEMENT FROM THE PLAZA CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, Inc.

“The safety of our residents is, and will always be, THE PLAZA CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, Inc.’s top priority. The Association takes this matter with the utmost seriousness and remains fully committed to protecting the wellbeing of everyone in our community.

Prior to the recent notice from Orange County regarding structural concerns, the Association had already retained a licensed structural engineer to assess the building. The safety measures required by both the county and our engineering team have already been implemented. The Association has also already approved a special assessment to fund the necessary repairs, and structural work has already begun based on our engineers’ recommendations. We are following the instructions of our engineers and inspectors, and will continue to take any additional steps recommended by the professionals as they become necessary.

These issues stem from a lack of oversight and maintenance under previous Boards. Since the change in Board leadership, the current administration has prioritized this work and continues to actively collaborate with our engineers and with the county to bring the building into full compliance and ensure the long-term safety of the property.

Our engineers are working together with county officials to ensure that all necessary steps are carried out properly and in a timely manner.

At this time, no evacuation order has been issued.

We will continue to keep residents informed as this process moves forward and remain committed to full transparency with the community and with the county."