Who is responsible for extremely high water bill?

[Justin Capps]

I manage a duplex where the owner pays for water. I received a call from the water company telling me we may have a leak because of the usage. Upon inspection at the property, we found that no lines busted but that a hose bib on the side of the home was open.

Obviously, tenant claims they aren’t responsible as they don’t pay for water and weren’t home for half of that billing period. They also don’t walk on that side of the home. 

Owner will claim it’s tenant responsibility to maintain a normal living environment. And even if someone else opened up their bib, it’s their responsibility to know. 

[Kyle J.]

You can’t just arbitrarily assign responsibility. It’s either spelled out in the lease or it’s not. If the lease says owner pays for water, and it doesn’t specify a limit, then the owner pays the higher bill.