Tenants of Mont44 Apartments, located at 4401 Montgomery Blvd. NE, reported a series of serious problems to the city’s code‑enforcement office. In response, Albuquerque inspectors conducted a thorough walkthrough of the complex and documented numerous health and safety violations that fall short of basic housing standards.
Key violations identified
The inspection report lists several categories of deficiencies:
- Structural hazards: damaged roofs, walls, ceilings, floor supports, porches and balconies that could compromise the building’s integrity.
- Sanitation problems: defective plumbing, sewage leaks, missing or inoperable ventilation equipment, water damage, insect and rodent activity, pigeon intrusion, animal feces and excessive trash accumulation.
- Fire and electrical hazards: inadequate lighting, exposed wiring, burnt or loose outlets, missing electrical panel covers, non‑functioning GFCI outlets and absent or non‑functioning smoke alarms.
- Habitability concerns: insufficient air‑conditioning systems and thermostats, damaged doors and windows, and deteriorating weather protection.
- Compliance issues: the property is operating without a Certificate of Occupancy, has undertaken construction without required permits, and shows inadequate overall maintenance.
- Exit obstructions: blocked or restricted egress routes due to debris and trash.
These findings indicate that the complex fails to meet the city’s minimum standards for safe, healthy housing. The violations affect both the physical safety of residents and the overall habitability of the apartments.
Owner response and next steps
The property owners have been given a 15‑day notice to correct the cited deficiencies. City officials emphasized that failure to address the violations within the allotted time could result in further enforcement actions, including fines or a possible shutdown of the building until it complies with code.
Mont44 Apartments has previously appeared on the Out of State Lazy Landlord list, a watchdog compilation that highlights large residential properties owned by out‑of‑state landlords who repeatedly neglect proper maintenance and code compliance. The latest inspection underscores the ongoing challenges faced by tenants when landlords are not locally present to oversee day‑to‑day property management.
What tenants can do
Residents who continue to experience unsafe conditions are encouraged to document any ongoing issues and report them to the Albuquerque Code Enforcement Division. Keeping records of photographs, dates and descriptions of problems can help expedite further action if the owners do not remedy the violations promptly.
Local advocacy groups also advise tenants to familiarize themselves with their rights under New Mexico’s landlord‑tenant statutes, which require landlords to provide safe, sanitary, and habitable living conditions.
City’s commitment to safe housing
Albuquerque’s code‑enforcement team reiterated its dedication to protecting renters and ensuring that all housing units meet established health and safety standards. The department conducts regular inspections and works with property owners to bring buildings into compliance, aiming to prevent hazards before they endanger residents.
Community members and local officials alike hope that the swift issuance of the notice will prompt the owners of Mont44 Apartments to make the necessary repairs, restoring the complex to a safe and livable condition for its tenants.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
