Insane Water Bill and Battling with Property Management

[Casey Roberts]

I own and operate a Real Estate Investment company in a small but lucrative market.  Currently, my business is predicated around Fix and Flip investments.  However, I recently came across a deal on a duplex that I simply could not pass up buying to use as a rental.  Due to my level of involvement with the Fix and Flip portion of the business, I hired a property management company to help me through the process beginning with the renovations.  

Initially, I was very pleased with the company and the services provided, especially the handyman who seemed to be able to tackle just about any task.  As time passed and we were approaching the end of the renovations, this particular handyman moved on and left the company in sort of a scramble to find a new one.  One day, the toilet began to leak.  Luckily, the property manager and the new handyman happened to be on site and noticed the problem before it caused too much damage - but they both neglected to tell me of the leaky toilet.  Instead, the property manager acted quickly and had the Handyman go to Lowe's to buy supplies to repair the inside of the toilet's tank.  Something must have gone very wrong with the toilet repairs because after they left the toilet began to run and leak again...for 10 days.  At this point, I received a phone call from the property manager, who for the first time told me of the leaky toilet.  I immediately expressed my displeasure on the situation and that I would prefer her to call and notify me of such problems so that I could make the decision as to what steps to take.  To me, it would be much more simple to buy and install a new toilet and have a guarantee rather than tinker with the insides and hope it works.  Overall, I am left with the hassle and expense of repairing the floor, ceiling and toilet but additionally and worst of all the water bill for the month is $1,600.  I am obviously biased on the matter because I own the property.  Therefore, I welcome all honest opinions and/or advice as to how I should handle the coming steps.  

Thank you,

Casey

[Mike McCarthy]

Something isn't quite adding up.  If the inside of the toilet tank is leaking (bad flapper or something), it should be using water, but not leaking onto the floor/ceiling.  If the wax seal is bad or the tank washers are loose, then it'll be leaking out onto the floor.  

I don't know if you'll ever get anything from the handyman/management company for poor workmanship - but I would definitely question them about it.  

Secondly, I would contact the water company - usually they will waive some of the water usage fees for a leak.  Plus, $1600 sounds like a whole lot more than 10 days of leaks.