Keeping up with tenant water bills

[Aaron Peterson]

The water bills for my Akron, Ohio rentals have to stay in my company’s name and my tenants sign their leases saying that they are responsible but most of them don’t pay it on time and in full. Can I legally put a 3 day notice to evict on their door if they don’t pay their water bill in full on time? Or how do others deal with this? I’ve heard some people say that they act as the water company and bill the tenant directly. Any thoughts on how I can keep my tenants paying water bills on time?

[Anthony Wick]

@Aaron Peterson

That reminds me, the city just sent me a water bill to pay because former tenant did not. Water bills can be put into tenants name, but if they don’t pay it comes back to owner. I would normally take that out of damage deposit, but tenant left in a hurry, and I’ve already used her deposit, plus another $3,500 judgment in small claims court two days ago.