The City of New Port Richey has issued a stop work order on four apartment units for violating city ordinances for repairs done after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

WFTS reporter Michael Paluska first investigated this story following a tip from a tenant. When he initially met with Justin Kearns at his apartment, they noticed buckets of patio porch paint outside his door. Kearns stated that the property management company did not install new flooring but instead painted the concrete slab.

“I want someone to be accountable. Someone needs to be,” Kearns told Paluska.

Kearns, who has lived in the unit for over a decade, has a toddler and is concerned about his child’s safety.

Paluska asked, “What was it like when you walked in and saw the concrete floors painted with patio porch paint?”

“Immediately, I thought this wasn’t right. This isn’t right. We don’t want our son running on this floor. They said it was just like having ceramic tile or terrazzo floors. I disagree,” Kearns replied. “I received a message from the maintenance lady saying there should be no reason why I couldn’t start moving stuff back in.”

So far, Kearns has not moved back in, but his neighbor Frank Famulari did.

Famulari’s concrete floors, along with those of his neighbors in the unit across from him, were also painted. During a tour of all three units, tenants reported that none of the kitchen or bathroom cabinets submerged by floodwaters were removed and replaced.

Paluska spoke over the phone with two employees of House Huntin Realty. When asked why they did not obtain permits for the repairs, they explained that they wanted to get tenants back into their homes as quickly as possible and would work with code enforcement to make the proper repairs.

“We’ll see how it goes. If I gotta move, I gotta move,” Famulari said. “I trust in God. I trust in God.”

The City Manager of New Port Richey informed Paluska that they take these matters very seriously for tenant safety and will follow up with the property management company and owner to ensure any necessary repairs are completed through the proper permitting process.

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(Image credit: WFTS)