Raw Sewage Made Home Unlivable, Raleigh Mother Says

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A mother from Raleigh shared her struggles with a living situation that became unbearable due to recurring sewage backups in her townhome. The issue affected both bathrooms, flooded the living room, and forced her family to live in an environment filled with foul odors and health risks.

Abraya Walker described her experience to ABC24, stating that delayed maintenance requests at Sunridge Townhomes turned into a dangerous situation for her and her two children. "I love living over here," she said, "but I don’t like how things have been for the month of December."

The problems began in the first week of December when raw sewage started backing up through toilets and overflowing tubs. Brown water flooded her living room, creating a strong and unpleasant odor. "The more it happened, and the more water came out, we noticed all of this brown sewage, and the smell was terrible," Walker explained.

The ongoing plumbing issues disrupted daily life, forcing her to shower at a friend’s home and wash clothes at a laundromat. She also provided a video to ABC24 showing standing water inside her home, which she claimed damaged furniture and personal belongings.

“I would come downstairs and then my kids be like, 'Mama, what’s that smell?’” Walker said. “It was frustrating because it was a daily, weekly thing that was happening.”

The situation escalated on Dec. 29 when Walker received a notice to vacate for withholding December's rent, despite claims that she had submitted multiple work orders to address the sewage problem. "I’m like, your focus is on me paying; my focus is on me and my children not living like this and having to deal with the smell of sewage and cleaning it up," she said.

ABC24 reviewed Walker’s lease, which states that the landlord must comply with building and housing codes affecting health and safety. It also requires tenants to notify management in writing if those standards are not met. Memphis attorney Mike Working told ABC24 that tenants are entitled to essential services regardless of lease language.

“All tenants have a right to essential services,” Working said. “A landlord cannot cut off those services, and if they do, that can be considered an unlawful eviction.”

Walker contacted Memphis Code Enforcement on Dec. 30. According to the city, an inspector gave the complex 48 hours to correct the issue or face court action. As of Friday, Jan. 2, Code Enforcement confirmed it issued a failure-to-comply violation with Environmental Court. A court date has not been scheduled as of Friday.

Walker said as of Friday morning, she has been given keys to another unit, but it is not yet ready for her family to move in. She also claims property management continues to request payment for December rent. Walker said she will pay the January rent but believes the complex owes her a credit for the unlivable situation they endured.

A representative for Sunridge Townhomes told ABC24 that the issue has been resolved. ABC24 reached out to the property management company for additional comment, but had not received a response by publication time.