EDITOR'S NOTE: Perla Estrada, who Spectrum News 1 spoke to for this story, speaks Spanish. Her responses were translated by Spectrum Noticias executive producer Maria Fernandezblanco.
SHELBYVILLE, Ky. — Over 50 families in Shelbyville have to find a new home.
The Midland Townhomes let its residents know on April 12, 2024 that they have to move out by May 31, 2024. That is about a month and a half notice.
In a letter to residents, property owners said the apartments were inspected and need extensive repairs.
After a year and a half of living in the Midland Townhomes, Perla Estrada and her family are racing the clock to find somewhere else to live.
“We feel very comfortable here and we have to vacate it now. They are giving us very little time to leave. We have one month and a half to vacate,” said Estrada.
Fifty-one of the townhome’s 56 units are affected.
According to apartments.com there are two apartment complexes with openings in Shelbyville that offer rent in a similar price range.
Estrada pays about $800 a month and is facing a lot of competition for apartments in the area.
“I have filled out about five applications to move out, but I haven’t gotten any response so far,” she said.
Moving means Estrada will have to find a new place to work and her kids will have to move schools.
“They are putting us in a very difficult position because our whole environment is going to change and the children’s environment at school and our jobs. We live here because we are close to the workplace. Now we are going to have to move,” Estrada said.
An attorney who has practiced real estate law for approximately 50 years said it is unusual for an apartment as large as this one to give a short notice; but, it’s legal.
“By Kentucky law, as long as you give notice more than 30 days ahead of the time that your payment is due. So, if your payment is due May 1st, as long as you give a notice before May 1st, then you can be asked to leave by the end of May,” attorney Steve Porter said.
Estrada said she is considering other locations like Simpsonville or Louisville, but that means she will have a longer commute.
“I am not happy with this situation because it is a big change for the family,” she said.
Southcreek Management Company, the property owners, told Spectrum News 1 in a statement they took over the property in October. After recent inspections, they determined the property needed to be vacated.
The statement reads in part:
“…that repairs needed are so extensive, it would be better to have the property vacated before repairs are started,” Southcreek Management Company said.