Hundreds of tenants at two St. Petersburg apartment buildings are being warned their water could soon be shut off. But residents say that’s just one of several issues — and some are deciding it’s time to move out.
The city of St. Petersburg says unless Lurin Real Estate Holdings, the owners of Elements on Third and The Morgan, pay overdue utility bills, water service will be disconnected on Aug. 21.
“It’s not fair to us or any of the tenants that pay, you know, this amount for what we’re supposed to be getting and we’re not,” tenant Sabrina Nguyen said.
Nguyen says she’s terminating her lease early at Elements on Third and moving out this Friday.
“Once these specific issues came to our attention, we’ve decided to leave because it’s just not worth it,” she said.
Tenants at both buildings received a shutoff notice from the city. Officials say they’ve been working for months to get Lurin Real Estate Holdings to pay its utility bills. While the company has made partial payments, the balance remains unpaid.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the city of St. Petersburg said, in part, “The City understands residents at these properties are experiencing stress and concern regarding this situation and we are working diligently to ensure there is not an interruption in services for residents. For months, the City has worked with property management to resolve these outstanding balances and will remain in active communication with property management until the balances are paid.”
Tenant Nicholas Mangieri described the situation as “very frustrating.” He says he received an email saying the issue was resolved, but questioned its accuracy.
“They just love sending automated emails refuting all these things, but clearly that’s just not true,” Mangieri said.
Water isn't the only concern. Multiple tenants at Elements on Third told 10 Tampa Bay News that residents are required to pay $80 a month for community internet which may also be shut off because Lurin hasn’t paid the provider.
“I work fully remote so I can’t be on a client call and say, ‘Oh sorry, I have to run to Starbucks,’” Mangieri said. “I’m going to have to pay for two internets until this is resolved.”
This is not the first time Lurin has faced scrutiny. In May, water was nearly shut off at another Lurin-owned complex in Tampa before a last-minute payment was made.
And while Nguyen has made the decision to leave, Mangieri says future plans depend on whether the problems continue.
“If these headaches continue, absolutely not,” he said when asked if he’d renew his lease.
Court records show 10 open cases against Lurin in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, ranging from bounced security deposit checks to unpaid contractors. The company owns more than 10,000 units nationwide, including 12 properties in Florida.
10 Tampa Bay News reached out to Lurin Real Estate Holdings for comment but has not heard back.
The city of St. Petersburg says it will provide an update on Lurin’s payment status this Friday and is working to ensure residents don’t lose access to essential services.
