A power outage at The Palms on Rolling Creek Apartments in North Harris County, Texas, escalated into a much larger crisis when, according to KPRC 2, a Harris County deputy was shocked while checking a breaker box and an expecting couple said they were later locked out of their own apartment.
Mohammed Nkosi and his pregnant wife say the conflict with management has kept them from their home and from the belongings inside while they search for an explanation.
What happened?
Mohammed Nkosi told KPRC 2 that he and his pregnant wife dealt with about 48 hours without electricity.
Unable to get a response from management despite repeated calls, Nkosi said the couple slept in their car and later paid for a hotel while trying to keep his wife's insulin refrigerated.
"From Friday till Sunday, about 48 hours, we were left without power. No air running in the house. Meanwhile, I have a pregnant wife," Nkosi said. "She couldn't even refrigerate her insulin."
After Nkosi called 911, a Harris County deputy who came to the complex was reportedly shocked while inspecting the breaker box.
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Nkosi said that when he went back later, he discovered the locks on the apartment had been changed without warning.
In a recorded exchange, Nkosi asked management, "You didn't ask me any consent. You changed the lock to my apartment?"
The manager, identified only as Frank, told KPRC 2 that the couple owes him $5,000. In the recorded exchange, he reportedly said, "I don't have to ask you anything!"
Nkosi told KPRC 2 that he has rent payment approvals through Zelle and bank records that, he said, show timely electric payments.
Why does it matter?
In a Texas summer, losing air conditioning, refrigeration for medication, and access to shelter can put families in immediate danger.
For households already juggling rent, electricity, and medical needs, a breakdown in communication or a lockout can quickly spiral into hotel costs, spoiled food, lost wages, and major stress.
What's being done?
When asked by KPRC 2 about the changed locks, Frank reportedly said the couple haven't responded to him and said, "Ma'am, I don't have anything to provide to you."
Nkosi said he contacted law enforcement again after discovering the changed locks, and the couple plans to pursue legal action.
He said, "I have all evidence to challenge that to the highest capacity possible that I can challenge it."
"We don't even have access to our apartment and all our belongings are in there," Nkosi said. "We have paid our rent. We have done every single thing that we have to do on our end. I just want to know why?"
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