Sioux Falls Inspectors Step In After Landlord’s Silence Leaves Family Living with Mold
SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota — A Sioux Falls family says they endured months of dangerous living conditions, including black mold, flooding, and sewage, before city inspectors finally stepped in after their landlord refused to respond. For Carissa Dunn and her growing family, what looked like the perfect home turned into a nightmare.
Mold and Sewage Issues Ignored by Landlord
Dunn said she and her partner rented a home from Chak’s Properties after being promised that it would be cleaned and ready for their newborn. “We were told it was going to be cleaned. Everything was going to be ready. We had a new sliding door,” she recalled. “When we got the keys, it was a dirty house. We had no new sliding door.”
Soon after moving in, the family discovered black mold spreading through the basement. Things only worsened when the property flooded a second time — this time mixed with sewage. “The landlord told us to stay dry, and we had a good five inches of water,” Dunn said.
The moisture and mold caused health problems for the entire family, including infections in their baby. When they pulled up the basement flooring, Dunn said the damage was overwhelming: “The entire back end of that was just black mold everywhere.”
City Inspectors Intervene
Frustrated by months of silence from her landlord, Dunn decided to seek help from the City of Sioux Falls. She filed two complaints with the city’s Property Maintenance Division, and both times inspectors confirmed violations.
“Tenants who have property maintenance concerns are encouraged to first contact their property manager or owner to resolve the issues,” said Justin Christensen, the city’s Property Maintenance Inspection Manager. “If property owners or managers are not responding or addressing an issue in a timely manner, tenants should continue to follow the process and file a complaint with the City of Sioux Falls. We take it very seriously to investigate all complaints in order to maintain a safe and healthy community.”
Dunn said the city’s involvement made all the difference. “When we moved out, we were not sick anymore,” she said. “If it weren’t for the inspectors, things could have been worse.”
Standing Up for Tenant Rights
Dunn now encourages other renters facing similar problems to speak up. “You are allowed to speak up. You are allowed to file a complaint with the city,” she said. “I want people to know that you have tenant rights and that you’re allowed to stand up to your landlord.”
The city continues to remind residents that if landlords fail to address maintenance or safety issues, they can call 605-978-6900 for assistance.
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