CALLAHAN, Fla. – Dozens of tenants at a Callahan apartment complex are scrambling to find new housing after Nassau County code enforcement notice advised residents to vacate the property due to multiple safety and occupancy violations.
A notice posted at the entrance of the complex on US-1, addressed to North Coast Apartments LLC, cites several code violations, including fire safety concerns and occupancy issues. The notice warns that residents may be forced to leave the property.
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The situation prompted several tenants to contact the News4JAX I-TEAM, saying they were caught off guard by the order and uncertain about what comes next.
“It’s only $1,300 a month [for a two bedroom.] It’s cheaper here than Jacksonville,” tenant Molly Morton said.
Other residents described ongoing maintenance issues inside the apartments.
“I just got my whole apartment settled and everything. Now I’m having to pack everything by myself and move it,” tenant Kaylyn Carrafa said. “We’ve had sewer problems here. We’ve had drainage problems.”
During a visit to the property, News4JAX observed visible mold in some units and air conditioning systems that appeared to be improperly secured. One tenant pointed out what appeared to be a temporary repair using foam insulation and tape.
Several tenants told News4JAX they had received little to no communication from the property’s owner regarding the code enforcement action or whether they would ultimately be required to leave.
“No. Never. No text, no call,” one tenant said when asked if the landlord had contacted residents.
News4JAX reached the landlord by phone. He said the code enforcement notices came as a surprise and stem from the property not being zoned for long-term residential occupancy.
According to the landlord, he purchased the property believing it was a multifamily apartment complex. He said he expects the apartments may ultimately be shut down but expressed sympathy for the tenants affected by the situation.
Property records show the landlord purchased the property in 2023 and it is designated as a commercial property.
Nassau County Code Enforcement confirmed that the property is designated as a motel and requires several upgrades to meet safety requirements for occupants.
When asked what she would like to tell the landlord, Morton responded, “Do better.”
Residents now face the challenge of finding new housing while waiting for more information from county officials.
“I have to leave all my friends and family, but we’ll get through,” Morton said.
According to the code enforcement notice, a public hearing is scheduled June 4 in Nassau County to address the violations and provide additional information about the property’s future.
The landlord said he expects to refund tenant security deposits in the near future if the violations cannot be corrected and residents are permanently displaced.