I faced being evicted along with my neighbors despite paying rent - all because of my landlord's mistake
Samuel Coleman
Published Aug 22, 2026
RESIDENTS in an apartment block in Jonesboro were facing eviction due to the landlord's failure to pay the building's water bill over the past year.
Last month, those living in the building in Arkansas awoke to a sign notifying them of their evacuation due to the unpaid bills, despite residents paying for water as part of their monthly rent.
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The owner of the Tara Woods apartments owed the Water Authority almost $98,000 in unpaid water bills since last July, according to a spokesperson who spoke to Fox 5.
The company added that the owner had not reliably paid their bill for the past two years.
Resident Rosheeka Randolph told the news outlet: "We woke up this morning to the commissioner, the officers, telling us we have to evacuate.
"The water has not been paid. We're paying. The water comes with our rent, so you can't tell me that the water is being cut off."
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The Clayton County Water Authority notified residents on June 14 that the water would be completely shut off on July 5.
This was extended to July 10 to give residents more time to find alternative housing after someone removed the original warning sign.
Resident Alicia Fowler told Fox: "Now [that] the water about to get cut off, we all running around wondering what we going to do."
According to tenants, the building's management claimed they were working with the water company to resolve the issue.
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"It's just been a back and forth, and I want answers. I don't want to be left in the dark," resident Nakeysierra Hall said.
Many of the residents explained to Fox that they had no other options for housing due to their financial situation, adding they would not have paid July's rent had they known about the landlord's outstanding water bill.
One resident, Narcisco McGeachy, and his family of seven were left not knowing what to do.
He told Fox: "They should think about the kids like, you know, think about the families who are scrambling, trying to figure out what they're going to do."
The worry and panic for tenants saw Clayton County Commissioner DeMont Davis open a center offering temporary housing and resources for the residents of the apartment building.
"You don't want this for your mother, you don't want this for your brother or sister or any family member you love," he said.
However, the center's services were eventually not needed and the displacement of the residents did not happen after Tara Woods Apartments and Red Apple Investments which owns the building paid some of its bill.
The water turned off for four hours but after the complex paid almost $69,000, the water returned.
"I feel like god was with every last one of us," one resident told Fox on the day they were expected to leave.
Since the first warning sign was erected by The Clayton County Water Authority, it said the complex also made $50,000 in additional back payments.
Michelle Matrich from Red Apple Investments said: "We very much care about our tenants, so if they can keep their homes that's what matters."
Despite the payments from the complex, the water company said that it still owes around $30,000.
The Director of Communications & Community Relations at Clayton County Water Authority told The U.S. Sun: "Red Apple Investments currently has an outstanding balance of $24,335.85.
"We continue working with them to get this outstanding balance paid."
The owners of the apartment building have been contacted by The U.S. Sun for comment.
