GASTONIA, NC — Dozens of Gastonia families could be forced out of their apartments because of overdue water bills, and it’s not their fault. Residents say this is the latest of many problems at the complex.
“If they don’t pay, we’ve got to move,” said resident Tameka Adams. It’s as simple as that, according to a notice from the City of Gastonia. The rent at the Beaverbrook Apartments includes water and sewer, but the city says the landlord isn’t paying the bills.
“It’s not our fault. We paid the rent; it should be taken care of,” said resident Ashley Weaks.
The notice states water and sewer services will be terminated if past-due utility bills aren’t paid in full by October 20. “Having kids, we can’t live without water and sewer,” added Weaks.
“It’s kind of heartbreaking, and it makes it seem like these people just don’t care,” said resident Shakeela Simmons.
WCCB’s Audrina Bigos went to the leasing office to ask why the bills haven’t been paid, but no one was there. She then called the property managers, but received a message saying the number was no longer in service.
Neighbors say that’s not a surprise. They say the management ignores glaring issues at the complex like broken and boarded windows, vacant infested units, and overflowing dumpsters sitting for months.
“It’s just a mess. Everything is a mess,” said Simmons.
“It’s just nasty. It’s really smelly. It’s just really dirty,” added Weaks.
Many say they can’t afford to move out before they get kicked out if the landlord doesn’t pay up, so they want managers to pay their debts or…
“Give me back my money I paid,” said “because I didn’t have to pay to live here if I knew I was going to get kicked out for no reason,” said Adams.
The notice says residents can’t pay the city to keep the water on themselves, because there are no individual meters.
