BEAUMONT, Texas — Residents at one mobile home park in Beaumont are frustrated after they say their water's been shut off. Again.
People from Forest Hollow Mobile Home Community unleashed a flood of frustrations on Tuesday.
Jasmin Atma said she's been trying to call the owner of the property.
"He is refusing to come here and refusing to answer our phone calls," Atma said.
She's frustrated because the water is turned off ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Barbara Cano said she and others pay fees for their water as part of the rent.
Then, the park pays the city.
"We pay our bill every month and if we don't pay our bill they are going to evict us," Cano said.
Angela Asire, the Property Manager, sent a statement to 12News, saying in part:
"Forest Hollow has been arguing incorrect bills with the City of Beaumont. July’s statement on an overflow meter was approximately $30k, which normally runs $200 to $400 dollars on a monthly basis; Clearly an over billing issue or mistake. Texas law allows us to pass charges on to our resident but of course, we would never consider passing on such an egregious amount."
Asire says a legal team is working to force the city "to address this matter and do the right thing."
They hope to take the matter before the judge on Wednesday "at the latest."
The city admits they've had trouble with the customer in the past.
"The City of Beaumont has had continual late payment issues with this customer for many years," the statement reads. "The city has approximately 44,000 water accounts and we would not turn off a customer's water unless they were two months late on their bill. Unfortunately, for the tenants of this mobile home park, the tenants are making payments to the owner and the owner is responsible for paying the water bill."
Forest Hollow resident Charlotte Bernard has family coming from out of town for Thanksgiving, and she says this isn't the first time they've had this problem.
"The water has been shut off 6 times and we are tired of it. We need some help out here and we want something done," Bernard said. "We can't even cook our food because we don't have water."
Atma said she hired an attorney.
"So far what she has told me is they have to provide the water and if not we can get out of our lease with no penalties," Atma said.
For now, families are left scrambling before the holidays.
"If I didn't pay my water bill or my light rent that trailer would not be standing there. But yet, y'all don't have the common courtesy to give us what we are paying for," Cano said.
Full statement from Angela Asire, property manager:
"The welfare of our families is of the upmost importance to Forest Hollow. We pride ourselves in serving our community and offering the best customer service. Naturally, it is devastating to us that The City of Beaumont has not made an honest attempt to rectify their water billing issue.
Forest Hollow has been arguing incorrect bills with the City of Beaumont. July’s statement on an overflow meter was approximately $30k, which normally runs $200 to $400 dollars on a monthly basis; Clearly an over billing issue or mistake. Texas law allows us to pass charges on to our resident but of course, we would never consider passing on such an egregious amount.
We have documented video journals, photos, work orders, and notations regarding every leak incurred by the City of Beaumont and have the fixing these issues on our end.
We have continued to make every effort to contact the water department regarding this matter, via phone, email, and formal personal interaction at their office. The city refuses to seriously address of our attempts.
Therefore, our legal team is diligently making every attempt to resolve this matter. We have currently working on an emergency injunction to force the City of Beaumont to address this matter and do the right thing.
Forest Hollows hope is we will have this matter before a judge tomorrow at the latest."
