Who's Job Is This: Landlord or Tenant?

[Will Fraser]

A tenant recently let me know that they observed an oddly high water bill.  He then let me know that no obvious sources of a leak are known of in the home and no evidence of leaking is happening, but the high water bill is an indicator of a leak somewhere.

This brought up a fundamental question that I wanted to put out to you and learn from you on:  if the tenant pays the water bill (it is in their name with the city) and there is  SUSPICION of a leak, who's responsibility is it confirm (and pay the fees that would be associated with confirming and/or finding the leak)?

I feel like once the leak is found it would clearly be my duty to repair it (unless the tenant caused it somehow), but when it comes to a suspicion of a leak, what would you recommend?

Thanks for letting me stand on the shoulders of giants!  The view is great from up here!

[John Underwood]

As the landlord you own the pipes. Since you have been notified there is a potential problem you should get a competent person over their to look for leaks.

You could make sure water is not turned on anywhere in the house and then go look at the water meter.

If you see the dial turning at all with everything off then you have a leak somewhere.

If you have a crawlspace I would look there if you don't have any faucets leaking. Check water heater also.