A FAMILY may face eviction from their home where they have lived for years, after their water bill suddenly increased by hundreds of dollars out of nowhere.
Alyssa Brass and her family are now pursuing help from Indiana’s Attorney General to stay in their home and fight the unexpected bill.
An Indiana mother says her water bill jumped from $48 a month to $900 in AprilCredit: WXIN
She claimed she was told to pay the bill or face evictionCredit: WXIN
Brass lives in an apartment complex in Danville, Indiana – just over 20 miles west of Indianapolis – with her husband, three children, and two dogs, according to local Fox affiliate WXIN.
While the family is expecting to welcome another child in the coming months, they may be forced out of their home due to a shocking increase in their water bill.
Brass told the outlet that typically, the bill is only $48.
“In our lease, it says it’s a flat fee for water, sewer and trash, which we have paid every month,” the mother said.
However, in later April, Brass claimed she received a text message from the apartment’s management company saying they were facing eviction because of overdue payments.
“They sent us a text message saying we would be evicted if we did not pay $900,” she claimed.
The unexpected bill was allegedly connected to a metering issue that occurred in 2022.
The management company reportedly recently fixed the issue and informed residents of the big bill increase.
Brass claimed another couple living across the street from her family also received a similar eviction notice, as they brought a newborn home.
“By the time they brought their baby home, they had an eviction notice on their doorstep,” she claimed.
“Their baby was two weeks old when they got evicted.”
Brass told the outlet that she and her family are fighting the bill and has contacted the state Attorney General’s office to file a complaint.
“We were planning on renewing our lease until this,” Brass said.
“I don’t want to have to worry about getting another unexpected bill, when I’m bringing home a newborn.”
She told WXIN that since filing the complaint with the state, the president of the management company contacted her.
The mother claimed that the management group is seeking to reconnect with her in June to discuss what is actually owed.
They allegedly told her that the company plans on investigating her family’s water usage and is calculating a new monthly fee for the water bill.
The management group did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
Any residents who are also facing eviction over drastic bill change can contact the Attorney General’s Office to file a complaint.
Tenants rights, including protections when facing eviction, can vary depending on where you live.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with tenants rights in your state and consult an attorney if you feel as though your rights are being violated.