LAKE MARY, Fla. — For the second straight weekend, dozens of families are out of their homes after Seminole County released an engineering report about conditions at Pebble Creek Apartments in Lake Mary.

Officials say two buildings have been deemed uninhabitable due to compromised structural elements and a lack of safe exits. In total, more than 85 units have been evacuated, but officials say residents are allowed back into those units are their own risk.

Some residents say they had no choice but to return to the property after being unable to afford extended hotel stays. They are now waiting for their security deposits to be returned so they can move elsewhere.

“To be honest, we had no idea that our steps were unsafe,” said Samantha Moore, a Pebble Creek resident.

Moore and her roommate, Nick Corvello, say they have lived at the complex for more than three years on the second floor.

“We were in a hotel for four days. Just between the two of us, we both spent $600. We unfortunately had to make the decision to come back here,” Moore said.

They say they want to leave but cannot afford to do so right now.

“It’s just the process of being able to get the money to be able to move because they are not giving us any timeline of when they’ll be able to give us back our security deposit,” Moore said.

According to the engineering report from Seminole County, two buildings were declared unsafe due to compromised structural elements and a lack of safe exits.

Inspectors also found deterioration, water damage and construction work done without proper permits.

In total, 53 stair systems across 21 buildings were deemed unsafe, with some partially detached or poorly maintained. For many second-floor residents, those stairwells are their only way in and out.

“Just because you’re renting, doesn’t mean you should not be paying attention to the overall maintenance of the property and even if you’re not responsible for it, that’s fine but you should still have an eye on it,” said Greg Leutheuser, principal at Resource Group Insurance.

According to county officials, tenants were required to have renters insurance. Leutheuser says that in situations like this, renters insurance likely will not cover temporary housing for displaced residents.

“If the landlord is neglecting the property, not taking care of it, we got gradual deterioration, it could also be improper workmanship. All of these are exclusions in property policy’s,” Leutheuser said.

For Moore and Corvello, they say they are actively searching for a new place to live but are still waiting on their security deposit to make their next move.

“They need to give them a clear timetable, they need that communication,” said Nick Corvello, a Pebble Creek resident.

Seminole County officials say there are no new updates at this time.

Property management has not commented on the situation.

According to the engineering report, all issues must be fixed by the property owner before residents can return.