Yet another apartment complex refuses to pay its water bill. Tracewood Apartments asked U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate to keep JXN Water from cutting off its water. JXN Water claims the apartment complex owes over $300,000 in past due water bills. The apartments are on Old Canton Road by Northpointe Estates.
Tracewood sued JXN Water in Hinds County Chancery Court August 12 but JXN Water removed the suit to federal court. Pineview Equity Group in New Jersey bought Tracewood in 2021.
The company has twelve accounts at JXN Water. Tracewood claims it did not receive water bills in various months and at other times received bills it said were grossly in error. The petition alleges JXN Water would not provide details meter readings and accountings for all months of service.
JXN Water issued a "final notice" of disconnection for all accounts in July if $334,000 was not paid by August 13. Tracewood allegedly offered to negotiate a payment plan with JXN Water but the water system's receiver refused to do so. WLBT reported the actual balance is over $900,000.
JXN Water is not seeking payment for bills issued before it took over Jackson's water system in late 2022. The meters that replaced the ill-fated Siemens meters were installed in 2021.
The petition requests Judge Wingate issue a temporary restraining order and permanent injunction against JXN Water that prevents it from cutting off water service for non-payment. Tracewood also asked Judge Wingate to order JXN Water to provide a detailed accounting of its water bills. The petition charges JXN Water with breach of implied covenant of good faith
JXN Water disconnected the water for several Tracewood accounts but restored service before Thursday's hearing concluded.
Attorney Sherrie Prince represents Tracewood while Malissa Wilson of Foreman Berry represents JXN Water.
Judge Wingate held a hearing Thursday afternoon that lasted several hours. The Court recessed the hearing until next week. Judge Wingate ordered JXN Water to keep providing water service and provide all records "identified" during the hearing.
70 comments:
Why aren't the renters suing the **** out of these apartment corporations/landlords? Water delivery is one of several contractual obligations that landlords owe to their tenants.
And’ yet again, taxpayers are footing the bill for those who skate-
Note to self: Buy more stock in bottled water companies.
It sounds to me like somebody did not do the due diligence pursuant to the recent transfer of ownership of that apt. Complex. I believe I would go to the closing law firm for the money. Isn’t that what you pay these lawyers to research to guarantee a legal and complete title transfer.
The old system was charging commercial customers unbelievable rates prior to JXN Water taking over. Sounds like things haven't changed much. I am glad someone stood up and took it to court. It would sound like the property owners just aren't paying their bills, but that may not be the case. Talking to JXN Water representatives was like talking to a fence post in my situation. I very wisely got rid of the commercial. On my residential account, I am being charged for the privilege of having sewage and I don't have sewage. I don't have a new meter, so the bills have been estimated for years. I was personally told by a JXN Water rep that if I was being overcharged for water, there would be no refunds even when I got a new meter and that no exception could be made to the privilege sewage fee. So no, all is not well.
At what point are landlords held in contempt & accountable Chockwe should be made to pay all these delinquent accounts since He Alone allowed it. He will get his day in Court, just not soon enough!
Can’t raise rates, can’t disconnect service for nonpayment. Much progress has been made but when the money runs out the system will deteriorate once again.
In court Jxn Water presented evidence
that tracewood signed a payment plan.
They made no payments on the payment plan.
Where did you get your information from KF? If Wlbt they didn't print the
whole story.
It's my understanding that they didn't
put the water bill in their name for two
years. You have to wonder why. They
were responsible to do so.
They were responsible for calling Jxn
Water if they didn't get a water bill. It
doesn't seem like they did.
They bought the apts. when the city
had the water. It's curious they didn't
put it in their name. I wonder what
that reason was. You have to wonder.
They admitted that the tenants got
water but they didn't pay the bill. I wonder if they paid a bill when the
city had the water.
Sounds like no one capable of running a water system for years and it hasn't changed since it was taken over. The people running it now are no better at it than the former mayor. Some one with the ability to do the job will have to take over. Sounds like they will have to forget about getting any back bills for water. Maybe if they start all over with qualified people they might get something done.
Jxn Water provided emails that they
told Tracewood that they were late
on payments on the payment plan.
They never made payments.The
last payment they made in Feb.
2025. It seemed like they made
Payments when they felt like it.
payments
They claimed the water bill was not
correct. They have no idea how tenants
use water in their apt.
Part of the time they say they didn't get
a bill Jxn Water was not even here. They bought the apts in 2021. I go back
to why they didn't put the bill in their
name when the city had the water. It
seems odd. I wonder if they were ask
that question in court. I would love to
know their answer.
I think people have to remember Jxn
Water had to rebuild the billing system
from scratch. It was in such bad shape
when Jxn Water took over.
They claimed they were not like the
the other complexes. They wanted to
pay their bill. But they defaulted on the
payment plan they had agreed to. I
think they know they owe that bill. What happened to the tenants water
money?
When Free The Water has run its course. Socialism fails and NYC is about to experience what Jacksonians have. A young, incompetent socialist Mayor
When they didn't make the first payment on the payment plan they contacted Jxn Water and ask them
not to cut them off. It sounded like
they had no intention of going by the
payment plan. They didn't even make
the next payment.
Who said Jxn Water refused a payment
plan?
I guess the other apt. complexes want
have to worry about getting their water
cut off.
The warranty deed has too many loopholes in Mississippi and exploits our states electronic filings with the chancery clerks. It allows real estate to be traded like pokemon cards without anyone ever stepping foot on these properties.
Wlbt only tells part of the story. They
said the judge was waiting on more
information from Jxn Water. When he wanted more information from both
parties.
Acording to emails it seems the COO
Of Pineview Equity Group knew that
Tracewood was on a payment plan.
Does it seem like Wlbt tells only one side of the story?
If Ted Henifin had a "lick of sense", he would have left Jackson four years ago ... on the first midnight Cessna flight out of Hawkins Field.
I guess he will give Blossom another
extension cause Wlbt reported yesterday that only one person has
moved out with only 4 days to go.
Not surprising. They probably financed the purchase with a term loan or variable-rate debt. When interest rates spiked, the property stopped cash-flowing. Instead of restructuring the financing, they decided it was easier to skip the water bill than face the lender.
With the judge leaving Blossom water on and now this it will be harder forJxn Water to collect from these apts when
they can't turn the water off. Blossom
water bill has went up more. and now
the other apts going up more.
12:53 PM...An unpaid bill that is not on any public record as a lien or judgment against the property on title or previous title holders within the SOL time is not something that we are required to check. Our office has closed on several apartments over the last few years, and we always remind the buyer to check on the water, electric and gas bill and be sure to notify the water, electric and gas companies to change the billing to the new owner. We also always check the UCC filings for potential liens for personal property and fixtures.
But look at all of the free stuff.
If they didn't get bills certain months why didnt they call Jxn Water. It would
be the normal thing to do. They werent
worried about the bill. If they agreed to
a payment plan for the amount owed
what gripe do they have?
Landlord is running a Ponzi scheme. But if we don't pay a $100 ticket we get arrested. Don't pay $300,000 and you get a pat on the back.
Ted Henifin was not here 4 years ago.
Where did Wlbt get their information that Jxn Water refused a payment plan.
It was shown in court they had a payment plan with the complex. Wlbt
much have not been in court.
Wingate owns the collection problem now. He's effectively taken any leverage remaining and thrown it in the trash can. There's no reason to believe any other owner of a complex in arrears will step up and pay their past due bill until they see Wingate start to play hardball.
Everyone needs to chill ! We all know the water JXN uses comes from the Resevoir and feed by the Pearl River is free so shouldn’t JXN water be free ***
Do they have other complexes in Jackson cause they have 12 accounts
with Jxn Water?
I know that this is too simple to work, but why not cut the water off at each individual apt. That doesn’t pay. That is the way the real world operates. I live in a house, and I know if my neighbor doesn’t pay his water bill, they will not cut my water off.
The article says some of the water bills were in error according to Tracewood.
So why did they agree to a payment
plan with Jxn Water to pay the water
bill. They didn't make any payment
on the plan so they weren't worried
about the bill.
He still hasn't ruled on Jxn Water raise.
He's chasing something that will not help Jxn Water with the money they
need to operate the water system.
I don't believe they have individual meters.
I think this is a great resolution to the problem. Let the working population, who choose to pay the extra money to live in the capitol city pay for those who can not pay for water. Be well aware, these precipitants will appreciate it and of course thank you in unappreciated ways.
I think the water staying on at
Blossom and the other one makes it harder on Jxn Water
to collect from apt. owners.
Tracewood took Jxn Water to court after they agreed to a payment plan.
They haven't paid anything for 5 months.
I guess the other apt. owners with a big
water bill are feeling better after this
including Blossom.
I've not lived in an apartment in Mississippi, but when I did in college and the military years, no apartments had individual water meters. Meters were near the street water access and no developers was going to add that many individual meters to his building costs. Instead, rent payment is calculated to include water into the profit margin. Even if you contracted to build your house, you might not have paid close attention to how it "works". .
Why didn't they just call if they didn't get a bill from Jxn Water? It seems
they didn't put the bill in their name
for a long time. That is their fault not
Jxn Water. They bought apts when the
city had the water. I wonder if they
answered in court what their excuse
was for not putting it in their name.
Their tenants were getting water. They
knew if they didn't put bill in their name
they were not gonna get the bill. They
we're making the excuse they didn't get
a bill, they knew why.
Attn 7:48 there are enough deserted houses in the capitol city to provide water meters to the few people who have not evacuated yet. And, this would cost very little and provide money rightfully due to the city of Jackson.
There are
I think when Jxn Water cuts the water for nonpayment and it is ordered cut
back on what does that tell the others
that owe? It seems like it defeats what
Jxn Water is trying to do.
Pretty soon this will all be "water under the bridge" comment in 3, 2, 1. Ha! I beat him to it.
NE Jackson is doomed.
Wipe the balances to zero - start over like they've basically done with the majority of the water system. Then when they don't pay, shut them off immediately. At that point there will be a legal case for service termination, all documented, numbers accountable.
I see another extension for Blossom
cause most of those tenants have
not moved. They have 3 days. I think
it sends the wrong message to all the
apt owners who owe Jxn Water.
In my opinion when JXN Water is challenged like this in court, and they bring receipts, the apartment owner should face some consequences such as they forfeit another payment arrangement and pay the full balance. Saying that you didn’t receive bills, because you were stealing water is indefensible. Wingate needs to send a message that you better have your ducks in a row before coming to his court.
Tenants should reduce their rent by $150 a month and pay that $150 to jxn water
Wingate is becoming part of the problem. The folks at Blossom should not get any more time to move, and the water should turned off. The owner Tony Little has not paid and let the conditions at the apartments get so bad that MS Home Corporation ordered the people to move. Every apartment owner needs to know that there is no more free water.
The layout of Tracewood Apartments is probably why they have twelve master meters. When built the additional costs of more meters was cheaper than running significantly more water service line among the buildings, Now with Ted’s billing changes it doesn’t look so good. The costs will just get passed through to the tenants in higher rent.
Looking at the online map satellite image there are 17 multiunit buildings Tracewood Apts not counting auxiliary structures.
One would expect a separate connection and meter for each building. It was not required to have a meter for each unit in such multiunit buildings when they were constructed.
The tenants could go to court against the owners for not using their money
to pay the water bill. It's not the owners
money.
Warranty deed and quit claims are sold as is without anyone stepping foot on the property usually for $10. Closing attorney is selected only to notarize and electronic file with the chancery clerk. Realtors and agents get cut out of the deal completely. MS realtors are paying for their own executions but don't know it.
Wingate siding with poor black folks instead following the law (is justice blind?) is telling. The man does occupy the bully-pulpit, though.
I bet he doesn't make them pay what
they owe. What defense do they have
not putting water in their name for a
long time. Tenants were getting free
water and they were collecting the money. I bet he doesn't make them
live up to their payment plan with Jxn
Water. They acted like Jxn Water would
not work with them when they agreed
to pay the bill and defaulted on it.
The article said that Jxn Water refused
to negotiate payment plan but that's
not what was told in court. I believe
Jxn Water brought prove there was one. And it was defaulted on so that
was why they cut the water off. They
never made a payment on it. So Jxn
Water did the right thing.
If the water bills for Tracewood enter the public record it could be interesting.
With that many buildings in the same location it should be possible to compare monthly usages billed to the different buildings and variances monthly for the same buildings.
There have been a few anecdotal reports of billings which are so high that the connection could not flow the amount over the course of a month. The explanation of a 'leak' on the customer side of the meter would have lead to neighborhood flooding and erosion.
No idea what has happened here in this case.
They have no idea how their tenants use water.
It is basic math. $3000 per building per month x 11 accounts x 2.5 years is a ton of water. $990k Pay up!
Does anyone know how things are going at Blossom? It will be good to
see them in new places.
Dunno. She had a good run in TBBT but don't know what she is doing now
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