Fort Valley residents say conditions improving at Villas on 8 Apartments

Fort Valley code enforcement responds to residents’ complaints

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – After Fort Valley residents raised concerns about rodents and safety issues at The Villas on 8 Apartments, city code enforcement officials say the apartment complex management team is taking steps to address the problems.

Fort Valley Code Enforcement Officer Rhonda Walker told 41NBC she met with property managers, senior maintenance staff, and residents on August 21st to discuss the complaints. Walker said her office wants to make sure “everyone is living in a safe environment.”

As part of the response, Walker spoke with the regional manager of the complex, Julie Smalls who confirmed to her a property manager will now be onsite Monday through Friday. Walker also said pest control treated the property on August 19th. 

During a walkthrough of the apartments, Walker said her team did not see any rodents. Walker noted that Building A reported no issues at the time of inspection.

Earlier last week, residents shared videos with 41NBC showing a rat running across a kitchen floor, chewed food in the kitchen, and a snake inside one of the units. They also said management rarely answered calls and that other issues went unaddressed.

Resident Makayla Arnold, who first brought the concerns to 41NBC, said on August 26th that the property managers are being responsive and that “everything is getting handled slowly, but it is [being handled].”

The Vilas on 8 Apartments is a privately owned complex and is not affiliated with Fort Valley State University.