GREENSBORO, N.C. — For 13 years, Derek Tonkins called his Greensboro apartment home. The location was ideal — just a short walk from his parents’ house.

That proximity turned out to be more than convenient when Tonkins’ unit became unlivable.

“My toilet started overflowing. I couldn’t flush it,” Tonkins said.

The plumbing issues weren’t just in his unit. Neighbors also reported flooding, yet Tonkin's said repeated maintenance requests went unanswered.

“I had called several times. They’d say someone would come out — no one would come,” he said.

Unable to stay in his one-bedroom apartment, Tonkins, now 50, had no choice but to move back in with his parents.

Weeks passed with no fix until friends and family urged him to call WFMY News 2 for help. Once the station contacted the owner,

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