Tenant describes mold, rodents and electrical hazards at Delray Beach rental; magistrate orders repairs

The special magistrate heard testimony from tenant Alicia Johnson describing multiple unresolved habitability issues at 1407 Southwest 4th Street, including rodent droppings, alleged mold and an electrical outlet that repeatedly tripped breakers.

Latoya Thompson, the code enforcement supervisor presenting the case, introduced 18 photographs showing interior and exterior conditions the city cited as violations of maintenance-of-building code 7.8.0.3. Thompson described observable rodent droppings, fascia damage and a kitchen sink leakage; she said the property had not come into compliance as of the last reinspection on Sept. 24, 2026. "As of 09/24/2026, the property has not come into compliance," Thompson said.

Tenant Alicia Johnson testified that the refrigerator had been out for weeks and that, while some repairs had been made, issues with alleged mold and rodents remained. Johnson said extermination was scheduled and some repairs had been completed recently. Owner Eric Cherinsky told the magistrate he had initiated repairs, hired an exterminator and expected to regain full access when an eviction process concluded; he asked for the 30-day compliance timeline.

The magistrate ordered the respondent 30 days to come into compliance and recorded that, if the property remained noncompliant, a continuing fine would issue (the transcript cites a $2.50-per-day fine in the record). The magistrate also instructed the owner to update the code officer on progress and noted that fines could be reviewed once compliance was achieved.