Atlanta News category interest

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - John and Stacey Rusnak say no one in city or county government is answering complaints about their new neighbors and the sewage pouring from their neighbors and into the Rusknaks’ front yard.

“Of course, you get upset and everybody tells you there’s nothing you can do about it,” said John Rusnak. “It’s rough.”

City of Tucker public records confirm a sewage overflow in February but closed the case after the property owner attempted repairs. The Rusnaks said the repairs never last.

“We’ve been through code enforcement; we’ve been through watershed management; the EPA; the EPD,” John Rusnak said. “I’ve been through 911.”

The home’s listed owner is VSP LLC, a company that shares the same address as Sylvan Homes. That company owns and manages properties in 26 cities, but the home next to the Rusnaks is not listed for rent, and Atlanta News First Investigates cannot confirm who lives there.

Atlanta News First Investigates confirmed Sylvan Homes filed an eviction notice in May, but the case remains open. Neighbors said a group of people moved in who they believe to be affiliated with a religious group. They also said this is the second group to move in since January.

The Rusnaks said they just want the septic tank repaired. On July 8, it overflowed again; that night, the Rusnaks contacted police after five of the neighbors walked onto their property wearing ski masks. The Rusnaks reported to police that they handed them a cease-and-desist notice and said, “You’ve been served!”

When Atlanta News First Investigates asked DeKalb County if it knew about the alleged squatters, a spokesperson said, “DeKalb County Police, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and the Marshall’s Office have received no complaints from the property owner at 1745 Ronald Dr. in Tucker about squatters on the property.”

A Sylvan Homes representative confirmed there is an eviction taking place but could not say when. Sylvan Homes management did not respond to requests for comment. However, the Rusnaks said a lawyer representing Sylvan Homes called and claimed the septic tank would be fixed permanently.

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