David Tomblin of Highgrove Holdings shut the water off at 3151-3153 N 6th St yesterday morning in the middle of a heat wave. His stated reason? “A huge water bill” from “a large swimming pool.”
Downstairs tenant (3151) Frances Skinner said the following. She’s lived in the property for 12 years; Highgrove acquired it in April 2018.
“In 96 degrees, I filled up a small kiddy pool 2 days ago for my 3-year-old for the first time this summer. I have every right to do so. Mr. Tomblin didn’t have the right to turn off our water unannounced this morning in a heat wave. I have heart failure; my doctor was worried. When I tried to call Mr. Tomblin to discuss, he asked if I was recording, hung up when I said yes, called back, and said we would email from now on. He didn’t ever turn the water on—we had to. I went to the emergency room yesterday for heart issues due to this.”
Upstairs tenant (3153) Angela Coleman, 11 year tenant, said the following:
“I’ve been quietly watching the news about my landlord Highgrove Holdings, but this was the last straw for me. I’ve lived here for more than a decade. This is the first time I’ve ever had my water shut off, or told the bill is too high. I’m dealing with a kidney transplant right now. This was outrageous. And when we asked for it to be turned on, he said we owed back rent. But when I called to discuss yesterday afternoon, they said they mixed up my rent with another address by accident. Blackmailing me with water in a heat wave with inaccurate records… really?!”
At the recommendation of City workers, tenants turned the water back on, overriding Highgrove. Forcible evictions are illegal.
“Tomblin’s actions are inhumane,” says Kevin Solomon, Senior Associate Organizer of Common Ground and Tenants United. “Clearly, he’s running out of money. This was desperate and unacceptable penny-pinching. Shame on David Tomblin. This is slumlord behavior. Tenants United and Common Ground will not allow him to abuse tenants while we evict him.”
