23 families cast out into stormy weather after landlord fails to correct safety problems

Some – but not all — of the 23 families and individual tenants who were forced out of a condemned Carson City apartment building as storms raked Northern Nevada in early January have found temporary shelter.

Tenants living on the second floor of the Carson Pines Apartments, 201 David St. in Carson City, were notified by their landlord via email on Dec. 26 that they had six days to leave the building due to unsafe conditions. The building owners had been warned of serious building code violations beginning in May 2021, according to court testimony, but failed to make repairs to the building’s stairways, walkways and roof — or warn tenants that the upper floor was about to be condemned.

“We got a notice to vacate the day after Christmas; they just dropped it on us and the 22 other families,” said Adrianna Domaratius, who lived in one of the apartments with her husband, John Vela, and their dog, Blaze. “Some people were able to move in with friends or relatives, but some are living in their cars now.”

Building owner William Kranz, and Eagle Real Estate, the management company involved, did not return messages from the RN&R asking for comment. At a hearing in Carson City Justice Court on Jan. 6, Judge Kristin Luis ordered that all tenants must leave their apartments because the second floor isn’t safe. Kranz’s lawyer told the judge that repairs weren’t made due to difficulties obtaining the construction materials needed to fix the stairwells, where concrete stairs are cracked and iron supports are deteriorating.

Luis said she is considering contempt charges against Kranz, who is again scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 31. At the Jan. 6 hearing, tenants asked for more time to move out, but a building inspector testified that the stairs, walkways, and roof present an immediate danger.

Thomas Marshall told the judge that the second floor was already unsafe before the latest series of storms hit after Christmas. His most recent inspection determined that snow accumulation has made the roof and exterior stairs even more unstable. “The stairwells cannot be accessed,” Marshall said. “They are not safe.”

The unexpected order to vacate the property sent the tenants’ lives into disarray. The displaced renters include families with children and single parents, as well as disabled people and elderly residents on fixed incomes. Many had nowhere to go.

“It’s been hectic, with us and everyone else trying to arrange to get out, to find somewhere else to stay,” said William Merritt, 59, who is recovering from cancer surgery and is scheduled to have another operation. Merritt and his roommate, James Leslie, have moved in with a friend until they can find another apartment.

“We’ve moved and we’ll have to move again,” said Merritt, who noted that it will be tough to find another apartment whose rent can compare with the $850 per month he and Leslie were paying at Carson Pines.

“We’ve been seeing (rents) listed at $1,500 and up,” he said. “Everyone is trying to find a place they can afford, and we’ve only had days to do it… There’s no excuse for that. The landlord knew about the safety problems but didn’t tell the tenants about it.”

Family, friends and strangers have pitched in to help tenants move. Some tenants moved out and then returned to help neighbors vacate their apartments. The tenants have set up a Facebook page to communicate with each other and to provide updates about the evictions and relocations.

Displaced tenants ask the community for help

Friends and family members set up GoFundMe accounts to help some of the cash-strapped tenants with expenses. Those accounts, with donation links, include:

William Merritt and Jim Leslie are staying at a friend’s house until they can find more permanent accommodation. Merritt is fighting tongue and throat cancer and is scheduled for his second surgery. Leslie recently completed some contract work and is now looking for another job. “I’m hitting the pavement,” he wrote. “All we have is a bike (for transportation), but that’s all I need. We have no place to go. No place to put everything we own… (Go Fund Me) is our last bit of hope. Anything helps.”

Aprille Knight and her boyfriend have a 1-year-old son. They moved into the Carson Pines Apartments in July. “My boyfriend and I only have one income and we are struggling with finances,” she wrote. “Any help would be greatly appreciated, and it will be used to help us get into a new home.”

Shawna Alverado is a single mom with two children, ages 13 and 7. The notice to vacate, she said, “came as a complete shock… we have no family here and we have nowhere to go. This has been extremely hard on my kids especially my son who is 13 and on the autism spectrum. I am desperately reaching out to the community for help. I am asking please whatever you can do to help get us into a new place. Please share.”

Cameron and Jamie Burke have a 5-year-old daughter. Their GoFundMe account was started by their friend, Casey Simoni. “The Burke Family is not prepared to pay new deposits with such short notice and Nevada doesn’t have homeless housing assistance,” Simoni wrote. “Cameron is employed at a local pharmacy and Jamie is a stay-at-home mom… They are not a family that lives outside their means. They don’t normally ask for any help. I am asking if any of you can find it in your hearts and wallets to raise enough money for a deposit on a new home for them. Even if you can only share this post, it will help. Five bucks will help. Your compassion will help.” The family is now staying with relatives, who set up an air mattress in their living room.

Laura Hanson is a single mom with two children. “They gave us six days to find, move, and get out of our apartments,” Hanson wrote. “I’m working three jobs just to scrape by now and have to take off the time just to do all of this. So I’m missing out on money and spending money I don’t have to move… I’m raising money to help with the moving cost and getting into a place. If you can help, I’d appreciate it.”

Adrianna Domaratius, her husband, John Vela, and their dog, Blaze are staying at a motel in Carson City after moving out of Carson Pines on Jan. 6. Vega is disabled. “We are actively looking for a place to live in Carson City,” Domaratius wrote. “Any donations will help us eat, provide gas, and have a place to sleep.” 

Miles Tucker, his wife and their daughter are among the 23 families evicted from Carson Pines. They have a place to move, but are staying in a motel until they can do so. “… I just really need help paying for the deposit and a hotel/motel for a couple of nights before the new apartment is ready,” Eylar wrote. “Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

NOTE: This story was edited on Jan. 13 to add another GoFundMe link.