Above is a photo of 214 N. Fort Wayne Ave., Warsaw. Officials believe the building has structural problems and a leaking fuel tank in the basement. It is owned by Ralph Fitch. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Two property owners are being taken to task for what appears to be substandard living conditions involving rentals in Warsaw.

One case involves two apartments on Fort Wayne Avenue and another a landlord who owns houses on South Union and South Indiana streets.

Code enforcement began investigating the Fort Wayne Avenue property after learning one man has been living in an apartment without utilities.

Code enforcement officials believe parts of the building’s roof and porch at 214 N. Fort Wayne Ave., are falling apart. One tenant has been living without utilities for months and apparently refuses to leave.

Ralph Fitch, of Larwill, owns the building and appeared before the city code enforcement hearing Tuesday, Oct. 26, claiming he had made all improvements since a month ago when he met with officials.

But it became apparent at the meeting Tuesday that Fitch had done little on his own to correct many of the problems.

One of the tenants spoke at the meeting and said Fitch provided roofing materials and that her husband did the work on the roof recently. She said they also cleared out debris from the basement left behind by a past tenant.

One of the apartments also has a leaking fuel tank in the basement that smells strong enough to alarm city officials.

“With the amount of fumes in that basement, I have no doubt that it could explode,” said building inspector Robert Hurford.

The city has had a long history with Fitch and previously has demolished three of his properties.

At times, Fitch expresses a fear of the tenants and at one point, said he doesn’t even receive rent.

Administrative judge Thomas Earhart told Fitch he needs to begin making more effort or hire somebody to do the work.

He outlined several deadlines and explained the significance of having a structural engineer look at the building.

“I have the authority to demolish that building and I’m not afraid to use it. I don’t want to, but we’re down to the last straw,” Earhart said.

Fitch was ordered to file eviction paperwork for the one tenant without utilities; empty and remove the leaking oil tank; clean up the backyard of debris; and hire a structural engineer.

Code enforcement’s next meeting is set for Dec. 14, but officials said they will monitor progress.

The other case involves Jon Fussle, who owns rental properties at 422 S. Union and 303 S. Indiana streets and operates under the name SkyTeam Properties.

The city learned of problems at 422 S. Union when a tenant complained about the lack of a working toilet that continued for two weeks.

Code enforcement officials have been unable to contact Fussle. On Tuesday, he was represented by the property manager, Clint Ness.

City officials contend the owner has not addressed many of the bigger issues quickly enough in recent months. Ness said they’re attempting to make improvements, but said there are some financial constraints.

Much of the concern focused on eliminating the properties of cockroaches and bed bugs.

The property manager said the effort to rid the homes of pests has been difficult and that the cost of paying for a professional cleaning has been viewed as too expensive.

A former tenant who lived at 422 S. Union, spoke at the meeting and talked about being “attacked” by bugs every night. He said he and his wife are now living in a hotel at the cost of $80 a night.

He also complained about feral cats living in the basement, but that’s been resolved.

Officials said they’d like to hear directly from Fussle at the next meeting and outlined expectations for the next few weeks.

“You need to stress to him how important it is,” Earhart said. “We just can’t have people living like this.”