Several Novato families are looking for new homes because of an allegedly neglectful landlord.
Novato city inspectors shut down a 14-unit apartment building this week that had been the site of numerous code violations.
The city said the building on Romar Court was unsafe and that inspectors had been attempting for more than a year to have the owner correct issues such as expired permits, incomplete or abandoned work, and structural and fire safety issues, according to a statement from the city of Novato.
After another recent inspection, the building was declared “substandard, unsafe and dangerous for occupancy,” the statement said.
Residents were required to leave the premises on Sunday. The city said they were entitled to receive relocation assistance from the landlord within 24 hours under state law that included the equivalent of two months of fair market rent and utility services.
The building won’t be habitable until it is deemed safe by changes that could take more than a year, according to the city.
The displaced families are being assisted by the nonprofit organizations Community Action Marin, Legal Aid of Marin, and North Marin Community Services, as well as the Novato Unified School District.
That includes up to two weeks of free, local hotel accommodations facilitated by North Marin Community Services. The organization said funds are being raised to support the program. Anyone interested in donating can contact Cheryl Paddack at cpaddack@northmarincs.org.
Novato Mayor Tim O’Connor said getting the families into housing was the city’s priority and faulted the property owner for the displacement.
“Property owners must understand their responsibility to maintain safe and healthy living conditions for their tenants. It is deeply unfortunate that the building owner failed to act on the City’s attempts to prevent this situation from escalating. We are grateful to our community partners for their swift response in ensuring residents receive the help they need,” O’Connor said.