“A river coming inside our apartment”: Heavy rain floods Arlington apartment

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An Arlington woman said her apartment is flooded out every time heavy rainfalls.

Stephanie Chamorro moved into Oakwood Villa in 2016 with her two children from Puerto Rico.

On Friday, heavy rain created a small river rushing right into Chamorro’s front door. She sent Action News Jax video of her apartment flooded with several inches of water.

“It looked like a river coming inside our apartment. It got into the kitchen, living room, hallway, bathroom,” Chamorro said.

The mother of two claims it’s been an ongoing problem since 2016, and she’s still waiting for a permanent fix.

She showed Action News Jax’s Robert Grant several emails sent to management with her concerns.

Grant went to the main office to get answers and was directed to corporate. He sent an email Friday night, but is still waiting for a response.

Action News Jax’s law and safety expert Dale Carson said under Florida law, renters have the right to a “structurally sound” living arrangement.

He said if your rented space becomes uninhabitable, you should give written notice to your landlord explaining the problem.

A landlord then has seven days to fix the problem.

If it isn’t fixed, then renters have the right to break a lease, according to the Florida Bar. Renters can also request another place to stay while work on the building is being completed.

Chamorro said she still doesn’t want to leave and can’t afford the move.

“I really like this apartment, and I wanted them to just fix it —because either way the issue is still there. If I move, somebody else is going to come with the same problems.”

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