Despite a brief return to service, an elevator at a senior apartment complex in Henderson is once again broken after an initial weeks-long equipment failure reported by WRAL 5 On Your Side in April.

WRAL 5 On Your Side reported that a $15,000 elevator repair left some residents at the Maria Parham apartments concerned about getting in and out of the building. Vice President of Landmark Property management Sam Sari said she expected the fix to be completed the week of April 20 after there was a delay in parts that needed to replace the elevator's door operators. 

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"I feel for our elderly residents and the inconvenience this has caused them. I have asked staff to assist them as needed or when requested," Sari wrote in an email response. 

Department of Labor records show the elevator did pass an inspection on April 28, with no noted violations. WRAL 5 On Your Side shortly thereafter received more information that the elevator broke once again, marking now a month since it received the initial concern. 

"If you've got somebody that's elderly, how do you get from point A to point B? Doctors appointments and such," Wendy Brewer said, who has a friend living at the complex. 

Representatives at Landmark confirmed the elevator is once again broken, at the apartment complex advertised as a complex for senior residents. 

"The elevator was down again due to a power module that was unforeseen,” Landmark representative said. “At this time, the part has been ordered and pending installation this week once received.

"The building owner is responsible for maintaining and repairing the elevator and ensuring its safe operation. When an elevator is removed from service for repairs, the owner must complete all necessary corrective actions. If a major repair is required to return the elevator to operation, the owner must notify the North Carolina Department of Labor so that a re-inspection can be conducted before the elevator is placed back into service."

Advocacy organizations weigh in on Maria Parham elevator problems

Several groups – Legal Aid of NC and Disability Rights NC – weighed in on the matter, explaining how ongoing building problems like this fall under the Fair Housing Act, in which landlords have an obligation provide safe and habitable housing. 

"Even if an apartment elevator isn’t working, the landlord is still obligated to ensure that tenants with disabilities have equal use and enjoyment of their home," Howard Lintz says, at Disability Rights NC. 

This can include reasonable accommodations to be requested by tenants, without fear of retaliation, which include:

  • Relocating a tenant to a lower-level unit if one is available;
    • Temporarily relocating a tenant to a hotel until the repairs are completed;
      • Assisting tenants with getting groceries or medications.

        Sari previously told WRAL it was assisting with tenant needs upon request.

        Residents are also eligible to sue through small claims court rent abatement, though those claims face uphill challenges if companies are able to prove they're working on fixing the problem. 

        "As it stands right now, it appears that the rent abatement claims would not be strong since the landlord is making ongoing repair efforts and has attempted to provide alternate solutions (contacting staff when they need assistance). There is a stronger claim for tenants who can show that the broken elevator makes their unit uninhabitable (not able to access their unit) versus those who may be inconvenienced for the time being," Hope Williams said, Project Director of the Fair Housing Project at Legal Aid of North Carolina. 

        Retaliating against apartment tenants for requesting repairs or reasonable alternative accommodations is in violation of the FHA.

        History of the elevator, through inspection records

        Brewer previously told WRAL that residents have been frustrated dating back to late 2025, with issues over elevator functionality. 

        Inspection records for the elevator at 406 South Chestnut Street show eight violations dating back to 2020. 

        However, the Department of Labor found zero violations during its last inspection of the elevator on November 10, 2025. 

        The noted problems, according to residents, began after that inspection. 

        "The elevator passed inspection in November of 2025, and we have a service contract with an elevator company. Unfortunately, elevators are like any piece of equipment, and do occasionally break down and require repair," Sari said. 

        Geraldine Champion, a city council member in Henderson, spoke to WRAL 5 On Your Side, but did so as a resident of Ward 1 (in which the apartments are located) and concerned citizen. 

        "I am on the city council, but I can speak on being a private citizen," she said.

        Champion acknowledged city leadership had been notified, but only within the last week or so. 

        "I'm concerned because if there are people wheelchair bound, if there are people on the third floor and the elevator is not working, how are they supposed to get out?" she said.