Water Bill Question on Rental Property

[Tyler Harrel]

Hello All, 

I am starting this discussion to see if anyone has been in the same predicament that I am facing at the moment before I place a property up for rent. I am in the process of putting my place up for rent and during this process as I was thinking through every detail that needed attention I came across the water bill. In the current City that this property is located at, there is the option of having the tenant fully responsible for the water bill which I will be choosing to do.

Now my concern is that the irragation water utilized is the City water. Obviously, the tenant is most likely not looking to spend money on a water bill that includes the irrigation of watering the lawn, so I am trying to come up with a solution possibly to continue utilizing the irrigation with City water but still have the tenant responsible for the water bill.

Any recommendations for this situation? I was thinking possibly writing language in the lease agreement stating owner will be responsible or monies will be docked off rent for the irrigation portion of the lawn care.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Thank you