Most Columbia apartments inspected every 6 years

Those living in a Columbia apartment complex got quite a scare this weekend.

The fire department was called out to Eagle Crest Apartments on Queen Ann Drive to investigate a building collapse.

Someone living there said they heard a loud boom and the ceiling in the living room looked like it was going to collapse.

Crews determined sheetrock had pulled loose from the ceiling joists, and the apartment’s structure was stable.

John Simon, city of Columbia’s building regulation supervisor, told ABC 17 News what happened at Eagle Crest this weekend was not something an inspector could have seen a few years ago.

Eagle Crest’s last inspection was in 2013 with no violations.

In Columbia every rental property is inspected by the city, but how often varies.

“Most properties if there are no violations go 6 years between inspections in order to be in compliance with city code,” said Leigh Britt, Neighborhood Services Manager.

Every three years though the property owners have to register with the city.

However, if properties have no complaints or violations they can renew after the three years for no inspection.

That then makes the cycle about every 6 years.

ABC 17 News asked Britt if she thinks that is too long?

“This is more of a policy decision to be made, but one of the things that we hear from our inspectors and property owners is that the inspection process helps everybody in our community maintain property,” said Britt.

But Britt did point out if Columbia started inspecting every one or two years, they would need more staff and resources which could in turn cause rental fees to increase, and could eventually end up costing the tenant more money.

“You could certainly make the argument there would be a need to discuss more frequent rental inspections but there is the reality of how do we fund that and how do we make that work,” said Britt.

ABC 17 News reached out to the property owners of Eagle Crest but have not heard back.

City officials said the owners have complied with the city in handling this situation and called an engineer to help in that process.