LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A family of seven living in the northwest Las Vegas valley has been living without water service in their rental home for approximately five months, according to their lawyer.
The situation began with a water leak and has resulted in a court battle as the family fights eviction and a $10,000 water bill.
“We were just completely mind-boggled,” Amanda Nelson told the 8 News Now Investigators.
Nelson said she received a letter from the Las Vegas Valley Water District last October warning about an excessive leak. She said she discovered a massive amount of water underneath the home near Torrey Pines Drive and Gowan Road, which she recorded on video. She provided copies of text messages, in which she appeared to notify the property manager, Invest America Realty, that same month.
The leak was not fixed until January.
“We would say that the property management company dropped the ball by not sending out somebody sooner,” Nicholas Haley said.
Haley is a consumer rights attorney for the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and began representing the family once they received eviction notices.
The family withheld rent.
According to Haley, because water is considered an essential service to be provided by a property owner by Nevada state law.
Haley said a judge tossed out the first two notices in court, while there is still an ongoing case regarding the third notice.
Nelson, whose children range in age from infant to teen, said water service is now completely shut off because she and her partner cannot afford to pay the massive bill.
“I can’t even find the words for it,” Nelson said. “It’s outrageous.”
The 8 News Now Investigators reached out to Invest America Realty. Owner Leonard Kryk declined an on-camera interview but insisted Nelson did not immediately notify him about the leak, despite her text messages dating back to October.
The 8 News Now Investigators also reached out to the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD). A spokesperson said LVVWD began reaching out to the tenants about a leak last July, starting with a text message and a couple of letters.
Nelson said she never received the text messages because LVVWD had the wrong phone number on file, and the October letter was her first notification about the leak.
Haley insisted there was a separate minor leak and the bills tell the story. In July, Nelson’s family used about 9,000 gallons of water which cost approximately $55, according to the bill she provided. Water usage skyrocketed to 228,000 gallons resulting in a bill of approximately $3,500 by October.
The family now owes more than $10,000, according to a January bill.
LVVWD had offered the property owner the flexibility to enroll in a reimbursement program if the leak was fixed sooner, according to the spokesperson.
Haley said the property manager should pay the water bill.
Nelson said the family could not afford to relocate. To make matters worse, their credit has been affected.
“It is very frustrating not only that we are in this situation, but also the fact that we can’t just up and leave the situation,” she said.
The 8 News Now Investigators reached out to the property owner’s attorney and did not receive a response by deadline.
