Mother Says OKC Home Not Ready After Paying Deposit, Rent

Felicia Shells says when her family got to the home, it was filthy, had no running water, and there are windows that had been boarded up.

Monday, September 10th 2012, 11:19 pm

By: News 9


A mother of seven young children says she's been done wrong by an Oklahoma City landlord.

Felicia Shells says she gave landlord Isaac Williams $675 so she could move into one of his homes at 1321 N.E. 44th Street last Friday. Shells says when her family got to the home, it was filthy, had no running water, and there are windows that had been boarded up.

On top of that, Shells says her family had to leave their belongings in the front yard of the house when they got there, because she says cleaning and maintenance crews that also had arrived at the home were supposed to get the home ready.

Shells says the workers didn't do the work, and heavy rains damaged or destroyed most of her family's belongings.

"I'm just upset, I'm horrified. My seven children, leaving them in this predicament I would be in jail somewhere," said Shells. "This is the worst abuse I have ever been in my whole life, and I've been through some."

We followed Shells to her landlord's office Monday afternoon. Williams Properties' secretaries tried to kick us out of the office, but we demanded answers.

Eventually, the company owner emerged, and offered to refund Felicia Shells' deposit and rent money, as long as she sign a waiver holding Williams' company harmless when it comes to Shells' personal belongings.

Shells refused. Now she is out $675, and she and her family have nowhere to live.

Late Monday afternoon, News 9 notified Oklahoma City's Action Line about this situation, and the Metro Fair Housing Council has also begun an investigation.

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