Rental house had a water leak causing high water bill. Who pays?

Question

I am fairly new to land-lording and this is the first time this issue has come up. In June I had two rental properties that had water leaks causing a high bill at one property ($217.00) and an extremely high bill (over $600) at the second. I spoke with the water department and was told if I sent in copies of the repair bills they would credit the accounts. However, they only credited $53.00 for the $200 and my other tenants have not received their updated bill, but I will assume it won't have much of a credit either. How is this typically handled? Does the landlord pay the difference or do they split the cost? As soon as we were told about a leak at both properties we immediately took care of the problem. Looking forward to hearing how others have handled a situation like this.

Heather Standridge · Answer

If you acted on the notice of repair immediately and the pipe was fixed... then who does pay the extra cost of water? To me if there much extra cost even tho you reacted so quickly on repair, that tells me that the tenant didn’t report it very quickly which would cause that extra to be on them.

You can possibly get a more detailed breakdown on daily usage from water company and decipher who’s responsible. If it was a charge in the little time you were made aware and got plumber out there, then it would be on you, if breakdown shows it slowly leaked over the whole month and you weren’t told towards the end of month then it’s on tenants. Get the detailed breakdown from water company and go from there. I don’t agree just because you own it, it’s on you. You reacted quickly, how do you know that tenants reported quickly is my thing.

Fair is fair and right is right no matter owner or tenant. If I rent and notice this slow leak and don’t mention it for 2 weeks, it’s on me just as well as the owner for not properly reporting issues causing damage to the home and to the bill.

(And this coming from someone who’s rented several properties in my lifetime and been in those tenants shoes as well)

I hope that helps somehow.

Account Closed · Answer

If you were the tenant and your landlord hit you up for $$$ to fix a leak you didn't cause, what would your reaction be?

Now, if you can't stand the tenants, you could send them a bill, they would give you notice that they are moving out and you'd be rid of them.

Randy E. · Answer

In this instance, I would pay the entire bill, minus the tenant's average bill amount.  This leakage is zero percent the fault of tenant.  As such, the tenant should pay zero percentage of the extra water bill.  I would embarrassed to approach the tenant and suggest she pay for any of the extra water bill.

Chalk it up to the Cost of doing Business.

Scott Johnson · Answer

In North Carolina, the law states we have to keep the property in habitable condition. A busted pipe under the house could easily lead to the house not being habitable. That said, it is my opinion that the cost is on your end. If the tenant had done something negligent, you could totally discuss their paying, but in this case, it's recommended you take the hit and use it as an opportunity to talk yourself up to the tenant, showing them that you're taking care of them.

Ray Harrell · Answer

In most locations, if the water bill isn't paid the home can be foreclosed. Given that information, what are your thoughts? Don't rely on what people SHOULD do. Do what's necessary to protect your investment.

@Jennifer Rysdam, water isn't free and someone has to pay, but they shouldn't have to pay for water running into the ground because of a leak in a pipe.

Jennifer Rysdam · Answer

If it wasn't their fault and they weren't aware of it, I would pay for it. If they knew about it and didn't tell you, then I'd make them pay the water bill. They know water isn't free and that someone has to pay for it.

Crystal Dudley · Answer

Mike,

Thanks for you quick reply. No, I was not asking the tenant to pay the repair bill ($800.00). My initial reaction was to pay the water bill minus their usual amount.

However, I just wanted to see what other landlords typically do in a situation like this one.

Dottie Colón · Answer

I live in texas, just moved in to rental in May. Last 3 bills were 200, 240 and 300. We have told the Land lord there is a possible leak with sprinkler system. Finally repair guys came found 2 valves broken and landlords handy man had sprinkler set to go off every other day for 3 hr. So we have paid 740.00 in last 3 months. What is the  landlord responsible as far as water bills

Kar Sun · Answer

My tenants pay their water bills. If they do not tell me the bill is high I have no way of knowing so they would be responsible. Or at least partially responsible since they did not report.  If they told me and the leakage is for the pipe which I am responsible then I will pay. If this is city main they city pays.

Rental house had a water leak causing high water bill. Who pays?

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