About 350 tenants of Woodland Manor, a Tulsa apartment complex for people 55 and older, are in jeopardy of having water shut off in their homes this week if the building’s owner doesn’t pay up.
Tulsa-based Vesta Real Property owes more than $33,000 on its water bill and last paid it in September, according to city spokesperson Carson Colvin. Courtesy notices from the city posted on residents’ doors said if the payment isn’t made by Wednesday, the water may be cut off by Thursday.
Residents say their utilities are included in their rent but the water is handled by Vesta. Woodland Manor resident Jim Lame said management told residents last week the company made a payment. However, as of 1 p.m. Tuesday, the city said that hadn’t happened.
But that’s not enough to shake his courage.
“This has happened before,” Lame told The Eagle Tuesday. “But they made the payment in time.”
Other residents playing cards with Lame were apprehensive about talking to The Eagle. Some said they had a few complaints since a change in ownership occurred a few years ago. Overall, though, they still enjoy living at the complex.
Colvin said if the water does get cut off, the city will send out a water truck until the bill is paid.
Vesta did not return calls requesting more information. According to a city statement, most multi-family properties ultimately resolve their balances before reaching the point of disconnection.
“We remain hopeful that the owner will take action to prevent further impacts this week,” the statement said, acknowledging it gives property owners multiple chances to pay before residents are notified.
City officials referred residents to the Housing Solutions Tulsa Landlord-Tenant Resource Center to find out more about their rights. However, when we called the center, a message said the office is closed to in-person appointments from Dec. 15-18.
The voicemail box was full, so tenants would not have been able to leave a message Tuesday morning. A text message instructed The Eagle to send questions and they would reply as soon as possible, but by 1 p.m. the office had not.
City Councilor Lori Decter Wright said she also has been aware of the situation, and is in contact with city officials about a longer-term plan for residents if payment is not received by deadline. Woodland Manor is a mix of voucher-assisted affordable housing and market-rate units.
