Tenant water usage increased.

[Lena S.]

Hi

I’m a landlord of 4 units building. We have a problem with water bill we receive every 2 month from city and is $200 more than before! So far, city didn’t increased their water, so we fine with it. More then that, we just established new rents for our new and old tenants, and they are ok with it. I don’t want to even think to increase again. The only what comes to my mind is they have some additional people living with them. 

How do you usually deal with problems like this? I’ll appreciate your advice. 

[Jill F.]

It probably is additional residents, a running toilet or a dripping faucet. Send out a written communication to all tenants that an unusually high water bill was received and as a result you will be doing a inspection for leaks. Inspect all fixtures in the building. Tell everyone not to use water for a 5 minute interval and make sure the meter is not still spinning. While you are there you can check for indicators of additional residents. You will probably find the culprit. If you do not find the problem, then it's harder. In that case, you might try sending out a letter to all tenants stating that you have not located the problem and if the problem persists you will have to "address the unusual water expenses" if someone has moved a bunch of people in, then another tenant will probably rat them out so that their own rent doesn't increase-- if not then you could submeter and find out where the additional usage is.