For three years, Michele and Thomas Willet were tenants in a two-unit dwelling at 12 Baker St. in Auburn.

When the couple purchased the small bungalow last April, the Willets decided they needed the space and didn't want to go through the hassle and work of getting an upstairs apartment up to code.

"The guy upstairs trashed the place," Michele said.

It had been vacant for so long, the former owner covered the stairs leading to the unit with plywood.

So far, the Willets have spent about $12,000 gutting the upstairs apartment. They are starting new and will totally remodel it into bedrooms.

It means the city will have one less apartment in a city that has too many.