South Fulton County

Residents living in deplorable apartment complex caught in the middle of legal struggle

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — People living in a south Fulton County apartment complex say they're being threatened with eviction because of a dispute between the city of College Park and the property owner.

They may have just days before they're left homeless.

Channel 2's Nefertiti Jaquez has learned this is just the latest in a string of problem for the complex.

Tammie Jewell said she moved into the West Cove Apartments two months ago and she’s already regretting that decision.

“The landlord didn’t even let us know they were behind the bill,” Jewell said.

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Her frustration comes after she got a letter from the city of College Park stating she and her family would have to vacate their unit by May 21 if property owners didn’t pay their outstanding water bill.

Georgia law states if the water is shut off, the buildings that make up the complex would be deemed unsafe and unlivable.

“The hardest part is not knowing where am I going to go,” another neighbor told Jaquez.

When Jaquez showed up to the complex on Thursday evening she explained to residents there that she leaned only reason the water wasn’t shut off earlier was because there was an emergency court hearing on Monday where a judge ruled that the management company had to pay $33,000 by Thursday and granted the property manager their right to appeal the unpaid bills through the College Park city manager

“I’m paying it on time, but you’re not paying your part? Yeah, they are slumlords to me,” Jewell said.

Jaquez also learned the city has been threatening to cut the water off for months because the bill hasn’t been paid.

She obtained emails from both sides that detail a past due balance of $94,741.52. But the owners don’t believe the city’s balances are correct.

As for Jewell, she doesn’t know what she will do if her family is forced out.

“As of right now, we will be homeless – literally,” Jewell said.