St. Petersburg, Tampa Apartments Face Water Shutoff Over Unpaid Bills

Hundreds of tenants at two St. Petersburg apartment complexes, Elements on Third and The Morgan, face the threat of water service being shut off due to unpaid utility bills by their landlord, Lurin Real Estate Holdings. The city of St. Petersburg has repeatedly tried to get Lurin to settle the outstanding balances, but only partial payments have been made, and the final deadline for full payment is August 21. Tenants, who pay their utilities as part of their rent, express frustration over the lack of transparency and ongoing maintenance issues, with some residents deciding to move out amid the uncertainty. Lurin claims to have sent payments recently and denies that water service will be interrupted, but the city states it has yet to receive full payment. The situation extends beyond water, as residents also face potential internet service disruption due to unpaid bills. This ongoing conflict highlights the difficulties tenants face when landlords fail to uphold utility payments included in rent, risking essential services in their homes.