After stipulated judgement, DWP bill is sky high

[Nicole Nicholas]

I own a triplex under LA rent control. In court, I got a stipulated judgment for one of the tenants to leave and she was given 90 days to vacate. All 3 units are on 1 water meter and historically I have paid the water bill. The other tenants have called me to tell me that the disgruntled tenant runs the water and hose into the street all day outside and they can hear it inside. When I got the first water bill after this judgment, it is x4 the previous bill. I have stopped by several times since to check the meter outside and the water is running constantly on full power and the meter read is climbing. 

Has anyone dealt with this before? When I keep calling the DWP, they say there is absolutely nothing they can do and they do not get involved in matters like this. Any advice on how to respond to a tenant like this or any companies or levers you have used in the past - rather than just pay thousands in a water bill?

[Scott Mac]

Hi Nicole,

Maybe talk to your attorney about a restraining order, or a modification of the original judgement under the same case to forbid this.

Good Luck!