Hundreds of Longview apartment tenants get shutoff notices - again
For the second time in less than two months, hundreds of apartment dwellers in Longview received shutoff notices stating that a major landlord is behind on utility bills to the tune of roughly $15,000.
Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help
Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News.
But the city says that the delinquent accounts tied to prominent local landlord John MacLean of Seattle were settled Thursday afternoon, meaning that residents won't face water shutoffs on April 28 after all.
Multiple residents at the 196-unit complex Fairways Apartments, located at 3858 Pennsylvania St., say they woke up to bright pink "Impending Shut Off Notices" taped to their front doors Thursday morning.
Photos of the notices submitted by different residents to The Daily News each show the same account number and the same amount due of $15,955.09.
Longview Public Information Officer Angela Abel said that in addition to the Fairways Apartments, the city also posted notices on other apartment complexes, including Mountain View Villas and Mint Place Apartments.
Cowlitz County Property Records show that all the buildings belong to Limited Liability Companies, with John MacLean of Seattle listed as a registered agent. MacLean's portfolio of Longview properties also includes the Monticello Hotel, but the historic building has not been one of the delinquent properties.
Notice language updated
Abel told The Daily News at 2:46 p.m. Thursday in an email that the delinquent "bills are now settled."
Abel did not provide exact numbers of units that received delinquent notices this morning, although she said the number of impacted units was less than the 393 units linked to MacLean that received shutoff notices March 2.
Property managers settled with the city in that previous dispute on March 5.
The notices that tenants received Thursday have updated language compared to the notices posted on tenants' doors on March 2, Abel confirmed.
The new notices clarify that the delinquent account is the landlord's responsibility.
"Per RCW 35.21.217 this building has been tagged due to failure to pay. If you are a tenant, please contact your LANDLORD regarding this tag. As the TENANT you are NOT responsible to make this payment," the notice states.
Still, the notices sparked confusion and alarm among several residents who spoke to The Daily News Thursday morning.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.