The Uncooperatice Water Company

[Steve Erkens]

Hi all,

Just found BP yesterday and spent the last two days reading forums and taking notes, and now I'd like to tap directly into this vast wellspring of knowledge with my own question. The city where I have my rental has a water company that will not allow the account to be put into the tenant's name. Currently, we provide the tenant with a copy of the bill and they pay us what's owed along with the rent, while we pay the actual bill when it's due. It's working now, but it seems to me that we're setting ourselves up for a shafting if the tenant so desired. What are your thoughts on this, and do you have any ideas for an alternative method of handling this issue? Thanks in advance!

Steve

[Bill S.]

In addition to what @Account Closed said, you need language in your lease stating that money received is first applied to outstanding utilities, fees and last to rent owed. The point being if they short you the water bill you post notice for late rent fees and rent owed in the amount of the water bill. If they fail to pay then you move forward with eviction on the basis of being short rent. Once they understand how the process works I doubt they will short you the water bill. As long as reimbursement for the water is clearly shown in the lease along with the clause about how funds received are applied, there should be no problem with an eviction.

The only way you might run afoul is if the high water usage was the result of some sort of negligence then you would have to argue that out in front of a judge.