Massachusetts

Tenants Aggravated by Lack of Repairs 3 Months After Pipe Burst

Nearly three months after a pipe burst and temporarily condemned an apartment building in Billerica, Massachusetts, tenants back living in their units say the complex is far from back to normal.

NBC10 Boston was invited inside the building by some of the tenants Tuesday. They pointed out the damage that includes ripped up floors, holes in walls and no access to the garage or elevator. They also complained about the smell and are concerned mold could be growing.

Back in March, a a 4-inch pipe burst in the attic of Building 1 at The Commons on Boston Road. It houses roughly 60 units. Some of those affected are still in hotels, but many have been allowed to return. They said the flooding was frustrating, but the lack of progress has been even more infuriating.

"I hate coming home," tenant Marie Dutile Tremblay said. "We've lost our quality of living. It's awful."

Tremblay has lived at The Commons for nearly a decade. She said she has tried numerous times to get the property management company to do the necessary repairs, but has received few answers. She has also reached out to several state and local agencies looking for help.

NBC10 Boston's calls to the management company were not returned Tuesday. Representatives on site had no comment.

Tim Doyle, who also lives in the building, has a hole in his wall above the kitchen and the laundry area. He said the management company told him the delay is due to insurance. Doyle said he cannot wait any longer and is getting ready to move out.

"Obviously, accidents happen, but this is not our fault and we're suffering the most," Doyle said.

Shortly after NBC10 Boston visited the property Tuesday, a representative from the town of Billerica stopped by for an initial inspection. Tenants were told the town is working on a report. Some have also reached out to the fire department to see if there are any code violations and are considering taking legal action.

"I'm done," Tremblay said. "I'm just so broken by this."

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