Valerie Mack addresses neighbors, supporters and media after she and her neighbors delivered a list of demands to their property manager, Investment Property Group, on March 13, 2025. Photo by Madison McVan/Minnesota Reformer.
Tenants in a pair of apartment buildings in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis are facing eviction over what they say are money handling errors and unjustified charges by the landlord, Investment Property Group.
The tenants gathered in front of 2119 Pillsbury Ave. in Minneapolis to hand over a list of demands to management. They said Investment Property Group has failed to secure its buildings, complete repairs, clean common areas and respond to noise complaints.
The two buildings have a combined 66 city code violations in the past three years.
Resident Michael Hru said the city of Minneapolis has failed to meaningfully enforce the housing code, and that the building managers have ignored maintenance requests and security concerns.
The exterior doors were broken for months, and people who didn’t live in the building would sleep in the halls, Hru said.
“We’ve been getting no help,” Hru said. “So here we are. We have to take matters into our own hands.”
Julie Rodriguez, the director of property management for Investment Property Group, said the company received the list of demands and will meet with tenants next week.
“We are committed to taking care of our residents, but the relationship goes both ways and communication is key,” Rodriguez said. “The constant crime and homeless issues in the surrounding area causes continued security issues.”
Valerie Mack is a longtime resident who said she serves as a de facto security guard. She is 69 years old.
“I shouldn’t have to play security, but I do,” Mack said.
Adrianna Mixon, a 20-year-old mother of an infant daughter, said she lived in an apartment with severe mold issues for months while she was pregnant. After the apartment flooded, she moved into an apartment across the street with the same management.
Now she’s dealing with a broken sink and other maintenance issues, and property management isn’t responding to requests for help.
Mixon got a cat to help control rodents because the property manager refused to hire an exterminator.
“I should not have to be living like this with my daughter,” Mixon said.
Rodriguez said Investment Property Group provides monthly extermination services and weekly cleaning.
Mixon, Mack and Hru joined a few dozen neighbors and supporters to deliver a list of demands to the on-site property manager. There’s been high turnover at that position, residents said, and the lack of continuity adds another layer of difficulty to getting complaints addressed.
“As with any business these days it is very difficult to find qualified employees,” Rodriguez said.
The tenants say they want timely responses to maintenance requests; a 24/7 maintenance line for emergencies; a stop to the in-process evictions; updates to the building’s security features; and a meeting with Investment Property Group higher-ups to discuss all of the issues.
The property manager unlocked the door and accepted the letter with demands.
Some residents didn’t recognize her; she started the job just a few days ago.