Who is responsible for extremely high water bill?

Question

I manage a duplex where the owner pays for water. I received a call from the water company telling me we may have a leak because of the usage. Upon inspection at the property, we found that no lines busted but that a hose bib on the side of the home was open.

Obviously, tenant claims they aren’t responsible as they don’t pay for water and weren’t home for half of that billing period. They also don’t walk on that side of the home.

Owner will claim it’s tenant responsibility to maintain a normal living environment. And even if someone else opened up their bib, it’s their responsibility to know.

Kyle J. · Answer

You can’t just arbitrarily assign responsibility. It’s either spelled out in the lease or it’s not. If the lease says owner pays for water, and it doesn’t specify a limit, then the owner pays the higher bill.

Joel Owens · Answer

Sometimes people steal water from the outside and it is not the tenants fault. That outside valve could also be bad and leak.

Some owners just take out the exterior spigots.

I am not a fan of owner paid utilities especially water. If there is a leak or drip the tenant could care less. You better believe if the tenant pays water then one drop from a sink and they are calling.

Leonard Lee · Answer

On my duplex, I have in the leases that I pay the first $60.00 then the tenants split 50/50.

Jill F. · Answer

In our area, when you get a crazy high bill from a "leak" or "running toilet" or whatever, you can fill out an affidavit promising that it is fixed and the water company will forgive it.

Justin Capps · Answer

@Jay Helms Typically, we will implement a utility system or some owners elect to split the utilities by adding another meter(easily done on duplexes with basements). The problem here was the property was purchased with inherited tenants and an inherited lease. Owner actually split water a month ago anticipating holding the property for a long time. But he is still paying for water until the end of the lease. New lease begins Feb. 1st. Unfortunately, the current lease doesn’t specifically state what happens with overusage.

So this is a great lesson for buying a property and the due diligence process.

Joel, these tenants are actually pretty decent people. We had a running toilet two months ago and they called it in instantly. They just didn’t see this as they don’t visit the side of those home. With as cold as it’s been, they run from the front door to the car.

Jay Helms · Answer

@Justin Capps - if legal in your area, you should look at implementing a Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS) where the tenants are responsible for utilities.

Thomas S. · Answer

Responsible party is 100% dependant on wording of lease.

There is no guess work involved.

Anna M. · Answer

Who is responsible for extremely high water bill?  All including property management company.  Split it 3 ways (each duplex 1/3rd and management 1/3rd).  That will trigger more vigilance and ownership going forward.

Sam Shueh · Answer

Plug the water bib if they complain about in convenience tell them they need to be responsible for their action.

Who is responsible for extremely high water bill?

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