Atlanta, January 30, 2026
A 72-year-old woman in South Atlanta has faced seven months of living in unsafe conditions after a burglary shattered her apartment windows. Despite multiple repair requests, property management remained unresponsive until recently spotlighted by social media. This situation raises urgent questions about landlord responsibilities and the safety of vulnerable residents in Georgia.
Atlanta
A 72-year-old deaf woman in South Atlanta has been unable to safely reside in her apartment for seven months following a burglary that left her home with shattered and unreplaced windows. The prolonged state of disrepair has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of vulnerable residents within their own homes.
Ongoing Vulnerability After Burglary
Sharon Dennis, who has lived in her apartment off Moury Avenue for more than ten years, experienced a forceful break-in on July 6. During the incident, the perpetrator shattered both the front and side windows to gain entry. For seven months since that summer day, these crucial structural elements, intended to provide security and shelter, have remained in a state of compromise, merely boarded up. This sustained damage has prevented Ms. Dennis from safely inhabiting her long-term residence.
Her daughter, Shalonda Pettaway, has expressed profound difficulty in navigating the situation, emphasizing the challenge of securing a safe living environment for her mother when facing unresponsive property management. Despite repeated attempts by Ms. Pettaway to contact the apartment complex to request the necessary repairs, these pleas reportedly went unaddressed for an extended period. Action from management was only initiated last week, following the widespread attention garnered by a video posted on a social media platform.
Landlord Obligations and Tenant Protections in Georgia
The circumstances surrounding Ms. Dennis’s apartment highlight general landlord responsibilities regarding property maintenance and tenant safety in Georgia. In the state of Georgia, landlords bear the responsibility for ensuring that all doors and windows are equipped with appropriately designed and functioning locks. Furthermore, it is incumbent upon property owners to make timely repairs when these essential security measures become broken or defective. This obligation extends to satisfying state and local laws governing the safety of rental properties.
When a tenant provides notice of a security concern, the landlord is generally expected to address the issue within a reasonable timeframe, with “reasonable” being determined by the severity of the problem. Tenant rights in Georgia stipulate that if a landlord fails to make repairs within a reasonable period after receiving proper notification, the tenant may have grounds to sue for damages. Generally, tenants are not held responsible for damage to the property caused by criminal acts, such as a burglary, with the responsibility for repairs typically resting with the landlord. This understanding underscores the landlord’s role in maintaining the structural integrity and security of the rental unit, even in the face of unforeseen criminal events.
Support for Vulnerable Residents
For elderly individuals and those with disabilities facing housing insecurity or issues with property maintenance, various resources exist within Georgia and specifically in Atlanta. Organizations such as Atlanta Housing provide assistance to low-income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities, offering choices in quality apartment communities across the city. Similarly, Empowerline offers assistance for seniors and individuals with disabilities, including information on housing options, home modifications or repairs, and protecting tenant rights. Empowerline can link tenants to services that help safeguard their rights to require landlords to make specific repairs and to accommodate disabilities to ensure home accessibility. Additionally, the Area Agency on Aging serves as a statewide resource, providing screenings to determine eligibility and urgency of need for in-home and community-based services that can serve as alternatives to nursing homes for the elderly and disabled.
The ordeal faced by Sharon Dennis quietly illuminates the critical importance of timely and compassionate responses to the basic human need for secure habitation, particularly for those among us who may find themselves most vulnerable to the caprices of circumstance and the slow turning of bureaucratic wheels. The ongoing nature of such an unresolved issue underscores a call for vigilant attentiveness to the welfare of every resident, ensuring that a home remains a sanctuary, not a site of enduring insecurity.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is Sharon Dennis?
Sharon Dennis is a 72-year-old deaf woman residing in South Atlanta whose apartment was burglarized in July, leaving her home with shattered windows that have remained unreplaced for seven months.
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When did the burglary occur?
The burglary at Sharon Dennis’s apartment occurred on July 6.
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What is the current condition of her apartment?
Her apartment currently has shattered front and side windows that have been boarded up and unreplaced for seven months, rendering her unable to safely live there.
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What are landlord responsibilities regarding broken windows after a burglary in Georgia?
In Georgia, landlords are responsible for ensuring doors and windows have functioning locks and for making quick repairs if security measures are broken or defective, including damage caused by criminal acts like burglary.
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What resources are available for disabled seniors facing housing issues in Atlanta?
Organizations such as Atlanta Housing and Empowerline provide assistance and information for seniors and disabled individuals regarding housing options, home repairs, and tenant rights in Atlanta and Georgia. The Area Agency on Aging also offers services and screenings for in-home and community-based support.
Key Features of the Situation
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Affected Individual | Sharon Dennis, a 72-year-old deaf woman. | Local |
| Location of Incident | Apartment off Moury Avenue in South Atlanta. | Local |
| Nature of Incident | Apartment burglarized with front and side windows shattered. | Local |
| Duration of Disrepair | Seven months with broken and boarded-up windows. | Local |
| Impact on Resident | Unable to safely live in her apartment. | Local |
| Landlord Responsibility for Repairs | In Georgia, landlords are responsible for maintaining secure doors and windows and making timely repairs after damage like burglary. | State-level |
| Tenant Rights in Georgia | Tenants can pursue action if landlords fail to make repairs within a reasonable time after notice. | State-level |
| Support for Disabled Seniors | Atlanta Housing, Empowerline, and Area Agency on Aging offer housing and support services for disabled seniors in Georgia. | State-level / Local |
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Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
