2520 Shell Rd, Georgetown, Texas 78628

UPDATE: Larry Carr sold the toxic building, but did he disclose it?

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In a shocking turn of events, a local small business in Georgetown, Tx found itself not only battling toxic conditions in their workplace but also facing a lawsuit from the very landlord who allowed the property to fall into a state of ruin. Larry Carr and his Zencaro Properties, a California-based company, left our small business struggling with hazardous mold, sewage backups, roof leaks, and unsafe conditions, all while turning a blind eye to requests for repairs. The extent of this neglect, combined with a retaliatory lawsuit, paints a disturbing picture of a landlord more interested in profit than in the well-being of tenants.

For more than a year, our small business SpectraLight, a long time staple of the Georgetown community, was trapped in an increasingly hazardous situation as leaks and toxic mold overtook the building they leased from Larry Carr dba Zencaro Properties. What began as small leaks escalated into a full-scale crisis, with ceilings, walls, and floors becoming saturated and ultimately growing mold.

This photo captures the shocking neglect of the bathroom where the ceiling fell into the toilet and mold has overtaken the area, the result of a year-long leak that a landlord allowed to persist. The bowl is encrusted with mold and debris, a clear sign of the dangerous health risks that tenants have been exposed to daily. The surrounding walls and floor are stained and crumbling, further evidence of water damage that has gone unchecked.

This image speaks volumes about the unacceptable conditions the Georgetown business faced due to landlord negligence. For over a year, the staff had to endure mold growth, which poses serious health hazards, including respiratory issues and long-term complications. It's a stark reminder of the need for stronger tenant protections and accountability measures for out of state landlords who prioritize profits over the well-being of their tenants. No one should be forced to endure such dangerous conditions. This isn't just an issue of maintenance; it's a matter of human dignity and health.

The wet conditions inside the building created the perfect breeding ground for mold. Mold spores spread throughout high-traffic areas like restrooms and breakrooms—spaces critical to the health and safety of both employees and visitors. What started as an unsightly inconvenience became a health hazard. Employees began suffering from headaches, respiratory problems, and other symptoms that we believe are from toxic mold exposure. Yet, despite these clear warnings, Zencaro Properties failed us each time.

This disturbing image shows the aftermath of long term water damage and mold infestation at 2520 Shell Road, Georgetown, TX, where a ceiling collapse has left behind a hazardous, decaying mess. The ceiling is peeling away in large, jagged chunks, revealing layers of black mold that have been allowed to fester unchecked. Mold spores, which thrive in moisture, have overtaken the damaged structure, creating a toxic environment for anyone in or around this space.

The landlord’s failure to address this serious issue has not only led to significant structural damage but also poses grave health risks for customers and tenants, who could be inhaling harmful mold spores daily. With the ceiling deteriorating and mold spreading uncontrollably, this situation highlights a shocking case of neglect. Tenants have been suffering in these dangerous conditions for over a year, waiting for repairs that never came.

Mold, Sewage, and Broken Promises

The septic system, which was allegedly neglected for years, backed up on multiple occasions, flooding our workspace with raw sewage. Instead of addressing these catastrophic failures, Zencaro Properties allowed the problems to fester, leaving the small business to deal with the fallout. For over a year, SpectraLight waited for help that never came. Zencaro continued to collect rent, but took no responsibility for the dangerous state of the building. Employees spent their days navigating around toxic mold, and dodging leaks from the ceiling—all while trying to keep their business running.

A Cruel Twist: The $8,000 Lawsuit

But what Zencaro did next is nothing short of appalling. After SpectraLight was forced to vacate the building for the safety of their employees, the landlord retaliated—not with apologies or compensation, but with a lawsuit. Zencaro Properties slapped the small business with an $8,000 claim, blaming them for damaging the septic system which was actually caused by years of the landlord’s own negligence. Utility trucks had been using the unmarked septic field for years to service utilities, and Zencaro tried to pin the resulting damage on or company. Rather than taking responsibility for their failure to maintain the property, Zencaro chose to go after the very tenant that had suffered under their neglect.

Breakroom Dangers

Here we have the worn, dimly lit break room where the effects of neglect are hard to miss. Beneath the sink, a shelf hangs broken, sagging under the weight of water damage. The mold, dark and invasive, creeps along the floor and cabinet walls, thriving in the dampness that was left unchecked for months. Above, the faucet is crusted with thick, white calcium deposits—a glaring reminder of the building's 20-year battle with hard water. No softening system was ever installed, allowing minerals to slowly choke the fixtures and corrode the piping. The leak, ignored for far too long despite being reported to Zencaro, became a breeding ground for mold, spreading unseen beneath the sink, out of sight but dangerously present.

Frequent Texas rainstorms worsened the problem with roof leaks, leaving puddles of standing water, damaged sheetrock, and a destroyed conference table. Despite our calls for action, Zencaro Properties ignored repeated pleas to make the necessary repairs, allowing the building’s condition to deteriorate further.

Is This the Kind of Landlord You Want to Trust?

For anyone considering buying, leasing, or even stepping foot in 2520 Shell Road, Georgetown, TX, a property owned by Zencaro Properties, this story should give serious pause. If they can allow such dangerous conditions to persist for over a year, what other problems might be hiding behind the walls? And what will happen when you’re the one left to deal with the fallout?

Our Georgetown small business was left with no choice but to relocate for the safety of their employees, absorbing the financial cost of the move, while Zencaro Properties continued to shirk their obligations. This blatant disregard for tenant safety is a stark reminder of the serious risks posed by landlords who refuse to maintain their properties. The facts are clear: no tenant deserves to be treated the way our company has been. Don’t let Zencaro Properties do to another business what they’ve done to us . Share this story to protect the next owner or renter at 2520 Shell Road, Georgetown, Texas. Protect the small businesses that make our community thrive.

A Cautionary Tale for Georgetown’s Business Community

What’s happening to our small business should serve as a wake-up call for small businesses across Georgetown, Texas. If an absentee California landlord like Zencaro Properties can treat one of our local businesses this way, who’s next? The crumbling building at the center of this controversy stands as a symbol of Zencaro’s indifference to the health, safety, and livelihood of those who rely on them to maintain their properties.

Our hope is to expose this California landlord and prevent other Georgetown residents from getting taken advantage of.

Texas Regulations

Texas has specific regulations regarding mold remediation and disclosure. The Texas Mold Assessment and Remediation Rules (TMARR), governed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), require that:

1. If mold remediation is performed, the property owner must receive a Certificate of Mold Remediation from a licensed mold remediation company. This certificate indicates that the mold has been properly removed and the underlying cause of the mold has been corrected. We were never presented with any Certificate. We do not believe the repair person Carr once hired to cut out a section of sheetrock was properly licensed. As you can see in the photos, a square was cut out and a piece of sheet rock was layed on top. This did little, and the mold continued to grow. We plan to find out through discovery if the repair person was properly licensed.
2. If mold remediation has been performed, Texas law requires property owners to provide the certificate to prospective buyers or tenants within five years of the mold remediation. We hope that Zencaro properly notifies every potential party considering leasing or purchasing the building at 2520 Shell Rd, Georgetown, Texas, 78628.

Failure to disclose known mold issues can expose landlords and sellers to legal liability, including lawsuits for misrepresentation or failure to meet the legal duty of disclosure. For renters, the Texas Property Code also requires that landlords maintain the property in a safe and habitable condition, which includes addressing mold problems that may arise during the tenancy.

TEXAS MOLD LAWS