CBS Atlanta 46Power bill unpaid, residents kicked out

Residents kicked out of the Presidential Boutique Condotel in DeKalb County slowly started returning Wednesday morning to collect the rest of their belongings.

Georgia Power cut electricity to the 16-floor building, located off of Spaghetti Junction, Tuesday afternoon after the owners didn't pay their bills. The DeKalb County Fire Marshall ordered everyone out of the building, since he said the building was no longer safe.

Fire officials arrived Wednesday and planned to stay throughout the day, so people could come back inside and move out.

One man told CBS Atlanta he slept in his car overnight, since he had no other place to go.

"I'm so sore," said Ray Hill as he slowly climbed out.

Residents wanted to know why management still took their rent checks this week when they knew the power would likely be turned off.

"I'm very upset about this," complained Vanessa McMillen. "Last month it was the water that was off."

McMillen packed her son's life into her car's trunk. Eighteen-year-old Deon Adams moved out of her house and into the high-rise last September.

"I think they should refund our money back," said Adams, who believes management owes him $450 - the rent he paid for the rest of the month. But his mother says her cost is even higher.

"We were just getting rid of everybody, now here he comes again," McMillen laughed.

One by one, residents walked out with boxes - they could only take out what they could carry - and officials closed off the elevators, leaving the stairs as their only option.

It started Tuesday afternoon when the owners couldn't pay Georgia Power thousands of dollars in past-due bills. The power company said they had been trying to work out a deal for weeks, but Tuesday, time ran out and the power went off.

"Once the power's been shut off, all the life-saving provisions have gone away, and therefore it's not safe to occupy," said Jerry Wainright, with DeKalb County Fire and Rescue.

Even the huge video billboards that sit on top of the building went dark, and the man who owns them says his phone was ringing off the hook.

"I got calls from every client telling me, 'Hey, the billboard's not working,'" said Madhet Anel.

Adams carried a crate full of shoes to his mom's car. He said he'll fight to get his rent money back.

"They might get sued, so I don't know," said Adams.

One of the building's owners told CBS Atlanta News over the phone that only two tenants paid their rent since last June.

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