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Updated over 2 years ago on . Most recent reply

Account Closed
  • Cleveland, OH
0
Votes |
2
Posts

Shared water/sewage bill in a 2-unit duplex

Account Closed
  • Cleveland, OH
Posted

Hi. I am a tenant so I hope I can still ask a question on this website. I live in a single family house that was converted into 2 apartment units (top and bottom). I live alone with my 18 month old son. My down stairs neighbors are a couple and also have an 18 month old son. Our water bill is split evenly 50/50 every quarter. I feel this is very unfair and perhaps illegal? I am pretty sure that I use a lot less water than the other tenants do. I do less laundry, I rarely wash dishes because I never cook to create dishes, My showers last 5 minutes and my son is bathed every 3 days. How could I approach my landlord with my concern? I have read previous posts on here and learned a little about the possibility of RUBS. Can anyone explain more regarding that? Any suggestions on how to rectify this issue so that I am paying for ONLY the water that I am consuming? Thanks.

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Christopher Brainard
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Rockwall, TX
701
Votes |
891
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Christopher Brainard
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Rockwall, TX
Replied

@Account Closed

The only question here is, what does your lease say? There isn't anything illegal going on here and I wouldn't even classify this as unfair, unless the lease says there is some other arrangement. Also, I should point out that your official measurement of water consumption (feeling) won't hold up in any court. 

-Christopher

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