City gives Mont 44 Apartments 10 days after inspection finds health-code violations
Residents of the Mont 44 Apartments complex in northeast Albuquerque are pressing property management to address what they describe as ongoing biohazardous conditions in their homes, including sewage backups, pervasive bug infestations and repeated health-code violations.
The City of Albuquerque inspected the property on Sept. 19 and found multiple violations, according to a city press release. Management has been given 10 days to correct the issues or face fines of up to $17,500 per day.
Tenants said the conditions have lasted for years. Alyssa Harper, a resident, described raw sewage flowing into her kitchen from a bathroom.
"I've had raw sewage water all the way out to here in my kitchen from this bathroom,"
She told reporters the backups reached as high as ankle-deep at times and have affected her young children. Harper said her daughter is now fearful of using the bathroom without help.
Other families recounted pervasive pest problems. Katelyn and Victor Chavez reported persistent ant infestations and said their 1-year-old daughter was found to be allergic to ants after they moved in. Victor described encounters in which family members had accidentally eaten ants.
"We've literally dr[inken] ants,"
City records show the complex has been the subject of repeated complaints. Since June of last year, officials have logged 76 complaints related to property inspections at Mont 44 Apartments, the city said. The complex is managed by Laramar, a Denver-based company; media outlets reported Laramar did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
What tenants are asking for and what the city can enforce
Residents at a protest said they want management to honor maintenance agreements and bring units into compliance with health and safety codes. They said problems range from plumbing failures and sewage overflow to insect infestations and general disrepair that they believe threaten children and other vulnerable residents.
- Immediate remediation of sewage and plumbing faults
- Professional pest control to address infestations
- Clear timelines and follow-through from property management
If management fails to correct the cited violations within the 10-day window, the city’s enforcement notice indicates fines can accrue daily. That puts the property at risk of substantial penalties designed to compel swift action on serious health-code breaches.
Local implications and context
The Mont 44 situation is part of a broader housing-maintenance conversation in Albuquerque, where tenants and landlords sometimes clash over responsibility for repairs and compliance with code standards. Repeated complaints and municipal inspections are a formal channel tenants can use to document problems and press for remediation.
For families living at Mont 44, the stakes are immediate. Tenants reported children suffering rashes and other health impacts that they attribute to the conditions. Those accounts contributed to the city inspection and the enforcement timeline now in place.
Housing advocates say municipal enforcement is a critical lever for protecting renters, particularly when families report conditions that pose risks to health and safety. The escalation to potential daily fines signals the city considers the violations to be serious.
Next steps and what residents can do
Residents and neighbors can monitor the city’s inspection and enforcement records for updates and verify whether management files proof of repairs or abatement. Those affected by the conditions should keep documentation—photos, videos and dated complaints—to support any future complaints or legal remedies.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Inspection date | Sept. 19 |
| Number of complaints since June last year | 76 |
| Time to comply | 10 days |
| Maximum fine | $17,500 per day |
The city’s notice and tenant reports underscore a test for property management: whether repairs and pest abatement will be completed promptly and transparently. Tenants said they hope the enforcement action will bring lasting fixes rather than temporary patchwork.
The property’s management company declined or did not provide a timely public comment to media outlets seeking response. City officials have set the enforcement timetable; any additional statement from the city or management will likely determine how quickly residents see changes to living conditions at the complex.
