A Des Moines family with two young children is preparing to vacate their rental home after the City of Des Moines condemned the structure for extensive unpermitted construction that created an unlawful second dwelling unit, according to city records and tenant correspondence.
Tenants Lacie and Ethan Sawyer have notified landlord Quan Q. Huynh that they will vacate by Nov. 30. They have issued written demands for the return of deposits, prepaid rent and relocation assistance allowed under the state’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act.
The family said no payments have been received.
City first warned owner in February
City officials said the case began in February when neighbors reported unpermitted construction at the rental home at 25011 20th Ave South. Neighbors told the city that contractors on site claimed the home was being converted into a duplex. Building staff posted a stop work order and met with representatives for the property, who said the only work underway was the relocation of a light switch. The city issued and finalized an electrical permit for that work.
In early November, city staff saw the home listed for sale and reviewed online photos showing that the basement had been fully converted into a separate dwelling unit with a kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms.
However, no permits had been issued for that work, according to the city.
Under the International Property Maintenance Code, a structure altered contrary to law is unlawful, unfit for human occupancy and subject to condemnation. The city issued a Notice of Condemnation and Order to Comply and Correct on Nov. 6.
Inspection confirms unpermitted construction
City staff met the owner on Nov. 13 and confirmed substantial unpermitted construction. The owner told the city an architect would contact officials to begin preparing permit plans. The structure has not been placarded, occupancy has not been prohibited and utilities remain connected. Enforcement remains focused on voluntary compliance.
Tenants say relocation help has been refused
Before the condemnation, the upper floor of the home had been rented to the Sawyers and their two young children. The tenants have cited RCW 59.18.085, which gives renters in condemned properties the right to refunds and relocation assistance.
They say the landlord has refused to provide any funds.
“It is like living in a real life game of Monopoly except instead of passing GO and collecting $200 we are being thrown out onto Chance and landing on ‘Go Directly to Homelessness,'” Ethan Sawyer told The Waterland Blog while packing with their toddlers.
In emails to the city, the tenants reported rising conflict with the landlord, including an incident on Nov. 20 when – according to an email to city officials – Lacie Sawyer alleged that the landlord blocked her vehicle in the driveway while she loaded her children into the car. The city told both parties that landlord-tenant payment disputes must be resolved through the civil process and advised them to consult legal counsel.
City order outlines unsafe conditions
The Notice of Condemnation states that the home contained extensive unpermitted work, including electrical and plumbing alterations, added sleeping rooms and a newly created dwelling unit. Because no permits, plans or inspections had been filed, the city could not verify safety compliance and declared the structure unsafe, unlawful and unfit for human occupancy.
The order required the owner to allow an inspection by Nov. 13 and to correct unsafe conditions by Dec. 6. Failure to comply may result in the property being posted as condemned, occupancy prohibited and utilities disconnected.
Summary of city findings
- Significant unpermitted electrical, plumbing and structural construction
- Creation of an unpermitted dwelling unit
- No permits, plans or inspections submitted
- Structure deemed unsafe, unlawful and unfit for human occupancy
- Owner ordered to correct violations or face prohibited occupancy and utility disconnection
Tenants demand nearly $15,000
In a written demand, the Sawyers requested $14,946 in refunds and relocation assistance, including deposits, prepaid rent and moving expenses. The letter states that failure to pay within seven days may lead to legal action. The tenants argue the condemnation resulted from the landlord’s failure to maintain the home in a legal and habitable condition.
South King Media requested comment from the landlord but had not received a response by publication time. We will update this story if we receive a response.
GoFundMe launched
The Sawyers have launched a GoFundMe seeking $5,500 to cover moving costs, deposits and first month’s rent.
The fundraiser states that the family moved in during July and that their lives were upended when the house was condemned because of unpermitted work attributed to the landlord.
“This displacement is through no fault of the Sawyers, yet they are the ones facing the devastating consequences,” the GoFundMe reads.
The fundraiser is available at:
https://gofund.me/1daef89b5
All information in this story comes from official public records and correspondence with the City of Des Moines. South King Media requested comment from the landlord but had not received a response by publication time. We will update this story if we receive a response.
