BEAUMONT, Texas — It's been nearly two months since some residents at the Sabine Park Apartment Homes in Orange began living without running water.
On Christmas Eve, freezing temperatures caused the pipes to burst.
Some tenants told 12News they feel like they are "living like animals."
12News confirmed Monday that after repeated attempts, owners of the Sabine Park Apartment Homes have not responded to the City of Orange.
Now, the city is gathering evidence and setting a court date for a legal hearing.
A lot of tenants packed up and left, but some residents, like Regina Steward, simply can't afford to leave
"Put a port-o-potty out here in the yards for people so we can at least have a restroom, so our houses don't smell like sewer," Steward said.
Steward says she would not wish this on her worst enemy.
At the end of January, the Orange Planning and Community Development sent the owners of the complex a letter, giving them until February 3rd to respond, otherwise they would take steps towards a legal battle.
The City of Orange sent a letter in regard to the ongoing issue to two addresses. One was sent to Sabine Portfolio’ LLC’s Abraham Wieder in Brooklyn, New York. The other is to Levi Gurevitch in Grapevine, Texas.
"We have just not heard a single word. We are targeting April to have a substandard building hearing," said Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of Orange, said Kelvin Knauf.
The city is now gathering evidence of all the code violations.
On Monday, water was still flowing out from under the units into the street.
"Frustration, that the owner has not responded, they have not shown an effort to come and repair the leaks and prepare the buildings, bring them up to code and give people a decent place to live," Knauf said.
Many of the units are now abandoned.
Steward says if she could leave she would, but she lives paycheck to paycheck.
"If there is somebody out there that can help us, we would be most grateful," Steward said.
Tenants will be invited to the hearing between the city and the owners to share their experiences.
Steward also plans to voice her concerns at the Orange City Council meeting Tuesday morning.
"Stop passing the buck, stop playing politics, and do something," Steward said.
In the letter, officials state the office has received multiple complaints from Sabine Park Apartment tenants. The complaints centered around the “substandard living conditions” at the complex.
"It's usually not in upscale properties where people have deep pockets and the ability to move on short notice," Sandy Rolling, executive director of Texas Tenants' Union, previously told 12News.
The office conducted health and welfare inspections of 10 buildings of the complex in response to the complaint.
Officials found that 48 units were uninhabitable due to conditions including:
- lacking functional water and sewer systems
- raw sewage spilling onto the ground
- excessive water leaks
- inoperative heating/cooling systems
- inoperative hot-water heaters
- broken windows
- non-operating electrical systems
The office also found that the 48 units were not structurally sound for human occupancy.
“Basically, we were not able to find a single building of the ten building inspections fit for human occupancy,” the letter says. “This situation requires your immediate attention.”
Related: 'It's terrible' : Sabine Park Apartment Homes resident describes living without water for 3 weeks
Trinity Multifamily/Asset Living, the company that had been managing the complex, terminated its agreement with the building's owners. There are still families living in the complex.
"The remaining families need your help," the letter says. "We suggest you assist these eleven families to move to a code-compliant dwelling unit within the property or release them to move out without penalty no later than February 3, 2023."
Rollins said despite the unlivable condition, tenants are locked into paying rent.
"In Texas, we don't have rent withholding," Rollins said. "No matter how bad the conditions are, so T think that's something the state of Texas, the state legislature, should enact, a provision. Most other states wouldn't require tenants to be paid up on their rent in situations like that, where the place is uninhabitable."
The letter states Sabine Portfolio LLC has until February 3, 2023, to reply on what actions they will take to bring these properties into compliance. If the city does not hear back, the city plan to take legal action.