Baltimore sues WAZ brothers after city officials accused the landlords of unsafe and deceptive rental practices. The lawsuit targets brothers Isaac and Benjamin Ouazana and related businesses. The case was filed Monday, August 10, according to Baltimore Chronicle. Details were also released by the City of Baltimore and reported by WMAR-2 News.
Baltimore lawsuit targets alleged unsafe apartments
Baltimore City and the City Council accuse the Ouazana brothers of unfair, deceptive and abusive housing practices. The brothers are also known as the WAZ brothers.
City officials allege that some apartments were rented without required licenses. According to the complaint, tenants faced serious problems inside several properties.
The allegations include:
- apartments without reliable electricity;
- missing heat or hot water;
- toilets that did not work;
- leaks and mold;
- trash, rodents and insects.
City filings include photographs from Kernan Gardens and Belvedere Court Apartments. One image shows a non-working toilet at Kernan Gardens in November 2024. Another shows trash outside Belvedere Court on March 13, 2026.
The photographs form part of the city’s allegations. The defendants can contest those claims during the legal proceedings.
Brandon Scott says Baltimore will pursue landlords
Mayor Brandon Scott said the city intends to hold landlords accountable when tenants face dangerous conditions. He described safe housing as a basic expectation for Baltimore residents.
City Solicitor Ebony Thompson said officials had repeatedly cited the defendants for housing violations. She argued earlier enforcement had failed to produce lasting changes.
| Issue alleged by Baltimore | Details cited in the case |
|---|---|
| Licensing | Apartments allegedly rented without proper licenses |
| Utilities | Electricity, heat or hot water allegedly unavailable |
| Plumbing | Complaints included non-working toilets |
| Property condition | Leaks and mold were reported |
| Sanitation | Trash, rodents and insects were alleged |
The lawsuit seeks broader action against practices the city describes as continuing violations. No final judgment has been issued on these allegations.
What the WAZ brothers lawsuit means for Baltimore tenants
The case adds another enforcement dispute to Baltimore’s rental housing sector. The immediate issue is whether the city can prove its allegations in court.
For tenants, the lawsuit also puts renewed attention on licensing and minimum housing standards. Further filings could clarify which properties and companies face specific claims.
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