Tenants at Manor Independent Living live with nearly 100 city building code violations and looming utility cutoffs, as a councilman seeks help.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Residents of Manor Independent Living in Fort Worth’s Las Vegas Trail neighborhood say they are living amid plumbing failures, mold and pest infestations, while a city councilman worries the property could soon lose utility service.

Inside the complex, fungi could be seen growing from the carpet. Residents described plumbing backups that, on at least one occasion, sent sewage flooding a man’s apartment. The man did not want to be identified.



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Many of the units are vacant, and some are unsafe to occupy, residents said.

Maurice White, who has lived at the complex for three years, said conditions have declined. “This place was nice, back in the day,” he said. White said he is dealing with cockroaches, though he described the problem as manageable.

The city of Fort Worth has added a pest infestation to a list of nearly 100 code compliance violations at the property.

City Councilman Michael Crain, who represents the area, called the situation dire.

“This is a sinking ship,” Crain said. “We have to get people out of there before they drown.”

Crain said the property’s ownership has been unresponsive. He alleged the owners are thousands of dollars behind on water and utility bills.

“We know they will be cut off at some point for non-payment,” Crain said.

He said he is working with local organizations to help residents.

White questioned where residents’ rent money is going. “We paying our rent but where is it going? That’s what I’m concerned,” he said.

White said he does not want to leave and believes the community is starting to make improvements. He acknowledged his options are limited. “We’re disabled ourselves,” he said.

“I just want some place that anybody would not mind living in,” said another tenant. “I can tell you right now, that’s not what this is.”

An employee of the property management company, who traveled from California, was on site Wednesday. She declined to formally comment on residents’ concerns or the allegations.

Three citations have been issued to the property so far, according to the city. The property is scheduled for a Municipal Court hearing Oct. 28 over the existing substandard conditions.