Owner responsibility for water bill if tenant not paying

[John Mary]

Received a letter saying it is owner responsibility for water bill if tenant not paying in Murrieta CA area. Tenant uses the water, and tenant apply the account with them and if they are not paying, it is owner's responsibility. Does it sounds fair to you? 

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @John Mary:

it's important to know the law and how things operate.

My lease states I apply all rent payments to non-rent charges first, then rent, oldest charge to the newest charge.

Let's say rent is $1,000 and tenant owes $150 for the water bill. They pay you $1,000. Apply that to the water bill first, then the remaining $850 towards rent. That leaves them $150 shy on rent and you can start the eviction process.