TRAVERSE CITY — Despite recent frigid temperatures, residents in one building at the Boardman Lake Apartments have been having heating issues for about a week, and management says it could take up to two more weeks to permanently fix the problem.
The apartment complex consists of 10 buildings, and one has a busted boiler. Renters in the complex say heating issues are a common problem.
“Whenever people go to complain about it, they said they’re going to come out and fix it,” said Anna Finkbeiner, who lives next door to the affected building. “They come out, band-aid it. And the problem usually just keeps going until it goes out.”
Residents have been relying on space heaters provided by landlords to keep their apartments livable. Jamie Little, who lives in the building without heat, said she has spent the week trying to stay warm while caring for sick children.
So far, the space heaters have helped, Little said, but she is worried about the impact on her electric bill. Those fears have not been soothed by management.
“She’s like, ‘Oh, it’s not going to be that big of a deal,’” Little said. “And I ran an electric heater before when I owned my own home. And it’ll double your bill.”
Another renter, who declined to go on camera, said she has to turn off the space heaters when she leaves for work and home to a cold apartment.
Management at the Boardman Lake Apartments has not said whether renters can expect any reimbursement. However, they said the issue cannot be resolved with simple repairs.
“It was not able to be fixed by ordering parts. It’s a whole boiler replacement,” Jennifer Patterson, of TM Associates, said. “Boilers, they don’t come in right away. It can take a week or two to get them in. We are waiting on an ETA from the vendor on when the boiler is going to arrive and when they’re going to be able to install it. But it is a top priority.”
The prospect of a two-week repair has alarmed nearby residents, who worry their building could be next.
“That does not surprise me at all,” Finkbeiner said. “Damn. Two weeks — what are these people supposed to do?”