ABC-13 helps renter get some cash back for flooded apartment

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It doesn't take rain to flood an apartment as one Houston renter found out this week.

Now that renter is being told to move out, but the apartment complex was not providing any help -- until Action 13's Jeff Ehling got involved.

Henry Obasuyi's problems began on Wednesday.

"I opened my door and there was a bunch of water that came out from the door," said Obasuyi.

Obasuyi says sometime during the day, the toilet from the apartment above him started overflowing and no one noticed for hours. It left 6 inches of water in Henry's apartment.

"Everywhere was soaked, my furniture was soaked, my bed was like bread, like when you put bread in water, my clothes I ain't got nothing to wear," said Obasuyi.

Obasuyi says when he went to the office he was told the complex did not have any empty apartments so he had to move.

"So they are telling me there is nothing they can do," said Obasuyi.

Obasuyi says he was not offered his security deposit or a partial refund of July's rent. It adds up to about $500.

When we asked the apartment complex manager why, we were told it was because Obasuyi never asked for a refund.

When we told Obasuyi this, he immediately asked for the money and was told he would be getting a check in a matter of days.

"If you didn't come out and say, 'Hey did they offer you anything?' I said, 'No, they didn't offer me anything,' but now they are telling me they are going to give me the security back, the money back," said Obasuyi.

It could have been worse. Obasuyi does have renters insurance so his possessions will be replaced.

The policies do not typically cost much and can come in handy during this type of emergency.

"It's incredibly cheap as insurance goes, for a few dollars a month you can get $100,000 in coverage," said Andy Teas of the Houston Apartment Association.

Apartment managers will typically move renters into an available unit if a problem pops up, but if they have no units, and you have to move, ask about getting your deposit and pro-rated rent back before your move.