DEKALB COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Imagine getting evicted from your home after paying rent on time, month after month. That's what's happened to several hundred people at a DeKalb County high rise.
Residents at the Presidential Boutique Condotel were told they were being kicked out because their landlord hadn't paid the electric bill for the building.
Landlord Habib Osta failed to keep his electric bill current, so DeKalb County fire officials closed the condo building. That's because Georgia law states that high rises cannot operate without electricity.
On Wednesday, residents packed up all their worldly belongings after being forced to move out, and most blamed Osta for the evictions.
One resident, who didn't want to be named, confronted Osta.
"You leaving me and my child out in the cold. Where am I suppose to go?" said the resident. "You knew this was going to happen but you took my money anyway."
CBS Atlanta had the same Tough Question for Osta, but he quickly passed the blame to his alleged business partner for the problems, who owns Club Europa, which is right next door to the high rise.
"If (my partner is) paying rent on time, we have no problems," Osta said. "But we have not received any money since September for the club and ballroom. They are using our using our utilities without paying."
Osta said he was trying his best to get the power turned back on.
Residents have until Thursday at 5 p.m. to move all their belongs out of the high rise.
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