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Landlord faces fines; charged $500 for 150 square feet

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By MARK  DOUGLAS | News Channel 8

Published: July 13, 2009

Updated: 07/13/2009 06:00 am

Pinellas landlord Lawrence Ayers was given a choice this morning: clean and fix the three condemned rental properties he owns in Clearwater or pay fines of up to $3,800 a day.

A magistrate found Ayers in violation of housing codes including uncollected trash and debris and undrinkable water at some of the eight units he owns on Westminister Avenue. Other violations: illegal and unsafe electrical work, broken doors and windows, rotting soffits and leaking roofs, and illegally cramped conditions.

Ayers has until Friday at noon to clean trash and debris, 14 days to secure the buildings from entry by humans or animals, and 30 days to repair all other code violations.

"I don't know if I can get all that done time-wise and financially," Ayers told the magistrate this morning.

Ayers is also facing a related grand theft charge of stealing electrical power from Progress Energy. Deputies say he rigged the main power supply so it would bypass meters.

Water from a shallow well is orange in color and, according to code inspectors, unfit for drinking. After reviewing photos of the filter, magistrate Herbert Langford Jr. said, "I'm surprised it's so clogged that water would even run through."

Ayers said he applied for a water permit from the health department but has not yet completed the process.

Code inspectors say Ayers subdivided four 1,200-square-foot buildings into eight units each with a common kitchen and bathroom.

They say the building alterations were done without permits and violated county codes because the units are too small. Ayers typically charged $500 a month to rent the 150 square feet of living space.

Ayers did not dispute the deadlines for cleanup and repair or the need to do the work.

"I'm here to make it right and just ask for some time to get it back to code, he said.

A dozen tenants were displaced by the condemnation of the property two weeks ago.

Mark Douglas can be reached at 727-451-2333

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