PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Mass eviction notices that were being handed out at London Oaks Apartments in Portsmouth days before Thanksgiving apparently was a mistake, according to a spokesperson for the Property Management Company that manages the apartment community.
“A notice that should have only been sent to specific households with large (rent-owed) balances was sent out property wide, in error,” according to a statement from PK Management. “Management is working diligently to correct this error and sincerely apologize to any household who received a notice for eviction in error.
“PK took over as the managing agent in August 2024. The property is a project-based Section 8 community.”
Notices were going up Sunday, and by Monday morning, there was lots of confusion and unanswered questions.
One renter said she was told she owed $9,000 as confused residents were lining up outside the London Oaks Apartments office waiting to talk to management on their rent status.
We found Kevin Riddick out here, looking out for his mother,
“They told my mom she owes close to $1,500,” Kevin Riddick said. “That’s not true. She owes no money because I take care of her. It’s not only her, they are doing it to a lot of people out here.”
There was never an explanation on how the mistake was made, but it impacted scores of tenants at the complex that serves the Section 8 community.
It is not clear how many people in the apartment community received the notice, but many on Sunday did. It said:
“You are getting this for failing to pay rent. You have 5 days to pay rent, or we will terminate your rental agreement, and then you have 30 days to vacate the property
One renter said “I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve been given the runaround. We have no property managers, no maintenance. We have mold, rodents.”
10 On Your Side spoke with a social worker who has clients living in London Oaks Apartments.
“They are getting put out in five days,” the social worker said. “They got to pay it in five days, and they don’t even know whether they owe it or not. “They want receipts from two years ago. Who has receipts from two years ago?”
Another person said that “I went to court on 9/19 so they tried to evict me. We went to court and nobody from their side showed up. London Oaks, their lawyers, no one. Then the bailiff came out and said all you from London Oaks, your case is dismissed.”