An Anne Arundel County judge ordered one of Severn's largest landlords yesterday to clean up his properties on one of the most crime-ridden streets in the county.
To settle a lawsuit brought against him by the county health department, Mohammad Zuberi agreed to repair 30 properties on Arwell Court in the Pioneer City neighborhood by Oct. 7 or face daily fines.
Zuberi, of Ellicott City, must return to court next month with a list of planned repairs that county officials have approved and must submit to inspections, according to the terms of the order signed by District Judge Vincent A. Mulieri.
The health department sued Zuberi and his wife, Lillemor, who co-owns a handful of the properties, after the condominium association asked inspectors to survey all the homes on the street. In Zuberi's units, inspectors reported finding rotting wood, peeling paint and doors that didn't lock.
Assistant County Attorney Howard Nicholson said he and his staff would enforce the timetable. "The county is committed to this," he said. "We're going to be holding his feet to the fire."
