HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – At least two families at the Palms on Rolling Creek Apartments say management falsely accused them of not paying rent — and one of them has filed a lawsuit to fight back.
This is the same North Harris County apartment complex KPRC 2 News reported on this week, where a judge has already ordered management to fix dangerous conditions — including faulty electrical equipment that shocked a Harris County Sheriff’s deputy.
KPRC 2 News reporter Corley Peel spoke with Veronica Marenco, a single mother who has an active small claims lawsuit against the management company, Globix Palms Rolling, LLC.
Marenco says on two separate occasions, management asked her to pay rent months in advance — once in exchange for free months and discounts.
A text message she received from management in November read: “I wanted to check in with you to see if you would like to take advantage of the same offer again. This time we will provide two months free as a token of our appreciation if you are able to pay five months rent today.”
Marenco says management told her they needed the advance payment to pay their employees.
She agreed to pay four months rent in advance in exchange for one month free and a $500 discount. But in May, she says management called claiming she owed $2,000.
“They just said, ‘We’ve been giving you too many discounts.’ They didn’t say exactly where it was coming from,” Marenco said.
All of this happened while she was also dealing with flooding, rodent infestations and low water pressure issues — none of which were being fixed.
“No,” she said simply, when asked if management was addressing the maintenance problems.
Marenco is not alone. A man and his pregnant wife — who relies on insulin — say they were locked out of their apartment without notice after reporting a 48-hour power outage in which their calls to management were ignored. Management told KPRC 2 News the couple owed money — but their bank statements showed all bills were paid on time.
“We have done every single thing that we have to do on our end,” the husband, Mohammed Nkosi, said.
Management representative Frank told KPRC 2 News by phone: “Do you know the real story? He owes $5,000, ma’am.”
Marenco has now sued the apartments in small claims court for $2,000 — the same amount management claims she owes.
“I’m a single mom. I don’t know if they try to take advantage that I’m not married, that I’m single, that I have two kids. But it’s not fair what they’re doing to people,” Marenco said.
Peel attempted to reach Frank at management for comment. She was told he was on a call and asked that he call back. He has not responded.
Marenco says she no longer lives at the complex, but her lawsuit remains active.
The property is also subject to a court-ordered injunction requiring safety improvements — including electrical repairs, structural inspections and working smoke detectors in every unit. Two additional active lawsuits filed by the Harris County Attorney’s Office address fire safety and sewage overflow concerns at the property.