Linda Langhorne spent Monday morning stocking up on water. She says management came to her apartment door at Windwood Gardens Apartments in Pickens and told her the water may be turned off within an hour.
"I was kind of angry because we pay the rent on time, our water's included in on that, so I was kind of angry about it," said Langhorne.
Site Manager Donna Bryant told us the City of Pickens told her that if an outstanding water and sewer bill wasn't paid by Monday the water would be cut off. Bryant said the City of Pickens told her the owner had an outstanding balance of more than $10,000.
"I just feel bad for these tenants out here they pay their rent faithfully and the owner needs to step up and take care of them," said Bryant. "It's his job."
The City told us Sussex Management out of Florida owns the complex. We called the owner to see what he had to say but we didn't get a call back.
The City of Pickens Assistant Administrator, Katherine Brackett, said they would give the owner 30 days to resolve the issue.
"We have reached an agreement and we don't want to see the residents without water," Brackett said. "We are willing to work with them in anyway possible and I do think we have it resolved."
It's a sigh of relief for tenants like Langhorne who are more thankful for water now than ever.
"I just wished (the owner) would have to live in our shoes for a while and he might come around," Langhorne said.
So what can you do if you have a problem with your landlord? The South Carolina Bar Association says first notify your landlord of the problem in writing and keep a copy for yourself. If you are not satisfied in a reasonable time you may file a claim against your landlord in magistrates court. For more information about tenant rights click here.
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