Landlord Advice And Suggestion Regarding Tenant High Water Bill

[Mat K.]

Greetings to anyone reading this.

I’ve got a recent situation with a tenant regarding a leaking toilet bowl. And wondering how to handle it as a novice landlord.

I got a call from the city water department regarding high usage in one of my fourplex. I immediately sent out a text to all tenants to check for any overflowing taps, leaks in the apartment and instructed them to shut off any overflowing toilets. I only heard back from 3 out of 4 tenants.

I Had the plumber go to apartment the next day and check all apartments. He determined that the only tenant I did not hear back from had the issue with a leaking toilet bowl. Fast forward a week later and I get a bill of 420$ from the city. Triple the regular amount for each months water bill. Wasn’t too happy about that to be honest.

Not sure how to address it with the tenant since she failed to notify me about the leak. She’s been an exemplary tenant up until now. Always pays on time, even during covid. Regardless, most likely the leak Came from her apartment.

I’m considering paying for it this time but making all tenants sign a note I have to be alerted to any leaks within 4 hours of any leaks if not they’ll be responsible for any additional usage. Thanks for any feedback.

Cheers Mat

[Patricia Steiner]

Your water company contacted you?  Geez, I'm pretty jealous...that never happens in my market.  A couple of things to know:  a "running" toilet isn't the same thing as a "leaking" toilet yet both are a whole lot of not good.  Some tenants don't think a running toilet is problematic and may not report it.  Had there been a leak with water all over the floor, they would be reporting big time.  The best solution is to add toilets to your inspection list.  The replacement parts are $20 so I choose just to swap them out annually (they last 3 years or so on average).  It's also important to have a maintenance covenant in your lease that states all issues are to be reported when discovered - and then list a few examples like a running toilet, dripping faucet.  Especially when the tenant is not paying for services, letting something drip just isn't seen as "their problem."  

Pay the water bill this time but let the tenant know the amount of the bill and that the problem was found in his/her unit - and share that this one with be on you but the next will be all his/her's.  

(And, if it's any comfort, this happens all the time minus the notice from the city; there was a post just this past week on the very same issue).

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