Start, La apartment complex tenants speak on damaging plumbing issues

START, La (KTVE/KARD) – On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, tenants at Mosswood Apartments in Start, La were hit with indoor sewage flooding due to a blockage in plumbing.

Tenants of the complex stated that this is a recurring issue that has caused damage to items in their units and raised a health concern for children, the elderly, and those who are sick. KTVE/KARD spoke to Linda Bell, a current tenant, about the aftermath of the issue.

We living in mold. I took my grandchildren over to the doctor and I was telling them, they wanted to know why they were coming, but when you breath in this here it’s mold.

Linda Bell, Resident | Mosswood Apartments

Bell continued by stating that she commends the apartment manager for sending in the requests but stated that once the requests are sent, nothing is done. She says she doesn’t blame the manager but blames those above her.

Bell’s aunt, Beverly Bell, made the decision to move out of her apartment and is currently staying with her daughter due to the severity of the damage in the unit. She spoke to KTVE/KARD about her years-long struggle with plumbing at the complex.

It started in my sink. Like the girl upstairs her sink it backed up and then in runs into my sink and it causes my sink to back up. So, I’ve been dealing with this here, probably oh it’s been a while, I would say at least ten years.

Beverly Bell, Former Tenant, Mosswood Apartments

Plumbers arrived at the complex and told KTVE/KARD that the blockage could be cleared and that residents should see relief soon. According to a conversation with the apartment manager, the carpet in the affected apartments will be shampooed. Beverly Bell told KTVE/KARD that she feels more should be done.

They need to pull all that up cause it’s going to set up mold. You can’t just cover that up by steam cleaning it you know like that. You need to get all that up and clean it and then redo the floors because it’s going to get in that wall, it’s going to catch air, and it’s going to mold up.

Beverly Bell, Former Tenant, Mosswood Apartments

Several residents stated they felt the carpet should be removed and feared mold would continue to form.