ROSWELL, GA — For the second time in less than a week, residents at The Lake House at Martin’s Landing apartment complex in Roswell have been left without running water. The repeated infrastructure failure has fueled anger and frustration among tenants, some of whom are now considering leaving the property altogether.
Residents Caught Off Guard Again
The latest outage occurred during Memorial Day weekend—just days after water service had finally been restored from a previous main line break. On Saturday morning, residents reported waking up to dry faucets, with no prior warning or updates from the complex management.
Many tenants expressed disbelief that such a critical utility could fail twice in one week, especially at a property that houses hundreds of residents, including families, seniors, and people with medical conditions.
“We had just gotten water back. To lose it again within days—it feels like nobody’s actually fixing the problem,” said longtime tenant Marcus Wells.
Property Ownership and Management Scrutiny
The Lake House at Martin’s Landing is owned by 29th Street Capital, a real estate investment firm headquartered in Chicago, and managed by its subsidiary 29th Street Living. Residents have accused the ownership of neglecting proper infrastructure upgrades and failing to provide timely maintenance.
Some say these back-to-back failures are just the latest in a long list of ignored service issues ranging from HVAC breakdowns to mold, pest concerns, and plumbing leaks.
“It’s more than just water—it’s about accountability. We’re paying market rent and getting third-world conditions,” said Brittany Taylor, who has lived at the complex for five years and has now decided to move out.
Management’s Response and Short-Term Fixes
In a written notice, the apartment management acknowledged the pipe collapse and stated that their contracted plumbing teams were investigating the source. As a temporary solution, they offered affected residents:
- Bottled water
- Reimbursement for hotel stays (up to $200 per night)
- Rent credits for time spent staying with friends or family
Despite these gestures, many residents remain dissatisfied, citing a lack of real-time communication and long delays in response.
“We shouldn’t have to chase management for information. We still don’t know exactly what happened or when it will be fixed,” said another tenant, who requested anonymity.
Public Safety Implications
Due to the pipe collapse, all water—including the fire suppression system—had to be shut off. The Roswell Fire Department has been made aware and confirmed that temporary protocols are in place to ensure emergency readiness at the complex.
Still, concerns remain high among residents about how long they could be left unprotected in the event of a fire or other emergency without a functioning sprinkler system.
Long-Term Impact and Tenant Decisions
While the repairs are expected to be completed by Tuesday, the repeated failures have eroded trust between tenants and management. Some residents have filed complaints with local tenant advocacy groups and are considering collective action.
The situation has drawn attention from nearby apartment communities and local housing organizers who argue that lack of infrastructure oversight is becoming more common in older, investor-owned rental properties.
“This is what happens when profit-driven ownership neglects basic living standards. Water is not optional—it’s a human right,” said a local housing advocate familiar with the complex.
What Happens Next
Management has not confirmed whether a full-scale infrastructure audit will be conducted or if preventive repairs will follow. As of now, water trucks have not been brought on-site, and no permanent contact line has been established for emergency maintenance communication.
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