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Poplar Village Fostoria: A Community in Crisis – Sewage Backups, Neglected Maintenance, and Unanswered Complaints

Fostoria residents searching for affordable housing options may come across Poplar Village, a community managed by Evergreen Poplar LLC. On the surface, Poplar Village presents itself as a convenient and budget-friendly option for individuals and families. However, recent reports from The Fostoria Free Press and firsthand accounts from residents paint a much different picture—one of neglect, serious sanitation concerns, and a lack of accountability from the management company.

Sewage Backups at Poplar Village – A Public Health Hazard

One of the most alarming issues at Poplar Village has been the recurring sewage backups that have gone unaddressed for months. Residents have reported raw sewage flooding apartments and common areas, causing unsanitary living conditions that put tenants at risk of serious health complications.

Sewage overflows can expose residents to harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites, leading to potential outbreaks of:

• Gastrointestinal illnesses caused by E. coli and other contaminants.
• Respiratory infections from airborne bacteria.
• Skin infections due to prolonged exposure to contaminated water.

Despite repeated maintenance requests, Evergreen Poplar LLC has allegedly ignored or delayed responses, leaving many residents to deal with the mess on their own. According to a Fostoria Free Press article published in January 2025, several families have been forced to temporarily relocate due to unbearable conditions caused by overflowing sewage in their units.

A Pattern of Neglect: Management’s Failure to Respond

Beyond the sewage crisis, long-term neglect of basic maintenance issues has become a major frustration for tenants at Poplar Village.

✔ Leaky roofs and water damage left unchecked for months.
✔ Broken HVAC units leading to freezing indoor temperatures in winter.
✔ Unsafe electrical wiring that poses fire hazards.
✔ Mold infestations caused by persistent moisture problems.

One tenant, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, shared with The Fostoria Free Press:

“We’ve reported the same plumbing issues over and over, but nothing ever gets fixed. Instead, we get excuses. Meanwhile, we’re dealing with mold, terrible smells, and now sewage in our hallways. It’s disgusting and unsafe, but the management doesn’t care.”

This sentiment has been echoed by numerous residents who feel abandoned by Evergreen Poplar LLC, the company responsible for managing the property.

Unsafe Outdoor Spaces: A Park in Ruins

For families with children, one of the major draws of Poplar Village Fostoria was its dedicated park and recreational space. However, residents claim that the playground and outdoor areas have fallen into severe disrepair, making them not only unusable but potentially dangerous for children.

Key issues with the park include:

• Broken or missing playground equipment that poses safety hazards.
• Untrimmed trees and overgrown grass, attracting rodents and pests.
• Standing water and drainage issues, increasing mosquito infestations.
• Lack of lighting, raising security concerns at night.

Local parents have stopped allowing their children to play in the community park due to concerns over injuries and exposure to unsanitary conditions. Despite repeated complaints to management, nothing has been done to improve or restore the playground to a usable state.

One resident told The Fostoria Free Press:

“They advertise the park as a feature of the community, but in reality, it’s just an abandoned lot with broken swings and unsafe equipment. My kids have nowhere to play, and the management clearly doesn’t care.”

Is Poplar Village Fostoria a Safe Place to Live?

Between the sewage backups, lack of maintenance, and deteriorating outdoor spaces, residents have begun questioning whether Poplar Village is even a livable community. Complaints about poor property management and unresponsive maintenance staff are piling up, and it appears that Evergreen Poplar LLC is unwilling or unable to address these growing concerns.

Tenant Rights & Legal Implications

For tenants dealing with neglectful landlords, Ohio law provides certain protections, including:

• The right to safe and habitable housing – Landlords must maintain essential utilities and sanitary conditions.
• The right to timely repairs – Management must address major health hazards within a reasonable timeframe.
• The right to withhold rent or break a lease if conditions are deemed unlivable.

If Evergreen Poplar LLC continues to ignore complaints, residents may have legal grounds to take action, either through a tenant’s rights organization or by filing formal complaints with local health and housing authorities.

Should You Rent at Poplar Village? Think Twice.

If you’re considering Poplar Village Fostoria as a potential home, it’s essential to be aware of these serious maintenance and health concerns before signing a lease. While the property may seem affordable on the surface, the reality is that persistent sewage issues, safety hazards, and poor management have created a frustrating and unhealthy living environment for many residents.

What Can Be Done?

✔ Hold Management Accountable – Tenants should document all maintenance requests, take photos, and escalate complaints to local authorities if issues remain unresolved.
✔ Raise Awareness – The more public attention these problems receive, the more pressure there will be on Evergreen Poplar LLC to take corrective action.
✔ Seek Alternative Housing Options – Until these issues are resolved, renters may want to explore safer, better-managed housing communities in Fostoria.

Final Thoughts: A Call for Change

No one deserves to live in conditions where raw sewage floods their home, playgrounds are unsafe, and management refuses to act. The growing number of complaints against Evergreen Poplar LLC and the declining conditions at Poplar Village are a serious cause for concern.

Until Evergreen Poplar LLC addresses these urgent maintenance failures, prospective tenants should think twice before moving in, and current residents should consider exploring their rights to demand proper living conditions.

Have you experienced similar issues at Poplar Village? Share your story with The Fostoria Free Press to help hold management accountable and bring about change.