All Forum Posts by: Justin Case

The water bill was extremely high for December use. Over double than average. Over 16,000 gallons above avg. (billed every two months). For 8 months the bill has been consistent.

These set of tenants are very honest and always help me and I trust them. A few were traveling for the holidays so they were not home full time. Nothing was left running while they were gone.

I tested the meter tonight with no water running for 3 hours and the meter did not move.

I turned the main street water line off a month ago for the first time since owning this property and I am wondering if this made the meter jump up to be erroneousness when it was turned back on? I mentioned this theory to the water dept and they said the reading has to be from actual water use and if the meter was at fault (broken) it would just not move at all and since it moved its not broke.

Does anyone have knowledge about if water meters can erroneously jump?

Also, the meter reading from today compared to the bill date three weeks ago is dead on to where their consistent use is as I expected.

What are your thoughts?

Tenants are lying about 16000 gallons of extra use? I highly doubt this since even my sec 8 tenants are not near this figure.

I appreciate any thoughts.. I am stumped.

My best tenant used the outside hose to clean out the garbage can when it was freezing outside at 30degrees out.

This caused the outside spigot pipe to burst that leads in the basement. (thanks for easier access)

I do not have this scenario called out specifically in my lease but I have general things regarding plumbing such as these rules

- Properly use and operate all electrical, heating, plumbing, and other fixtures and appliances supplied by Landlord, and assume all costs incurred in their repair resulting from misuse and abuse. Items such as food scraps, cotton balls, q-tips, paper towels, napkins, feminine hygiene products and diapers are not to be flushed down the toilets. Any costs incurred for the repair of toilets as a result of this will be charged to the tenant.

- Maintain the temperature of the Premises at such a level to prevent breakage of pipes or other damage to the Premises.

Would you charge your tenant the $200 it cost for the fix?

I would think a science major knows water expands and pipes burst in freezing conditions.

But I do not want to make the best tenants mad.

Jon,

I have an addendum signed that says I pay only up to the Housing Authority amount. They are over this amount and I can pass the overage to them.

Either way the bill still has to be in my name by law since it is a duplex.

I only have one meter on the duplex.
I found out that both sides are doing laundry constantly and pretty much run day cares for their older kids since they do not work.

I wrote addendum in the lease that I only cover utilities to the Housing Authority amount. Giving them the notice to pay the overage pisses them off and they try to get the housing authority on their side.

It is a duplex so utility bill has to be in my name. Also section 8 requires owner pays.

I pay w/s/g in this economy and I am on the forth month now with two newer sets of section 8 tenants really high on their w/s/g bills. They are each running $45 over a month. Should I make them pay the difference to enforce it?

The overage is due to them always having extra guests over and them not working being home all day.

I put a lease addendum in that they pay overages but I do not want to piss them off and have them move since there are now some other cheaper rentals in the area. So for they are good tenants and mind their own. (besides getting that pit bull with out asking)

I am waiting for a letter from my insurance company I can also hand over to her.
Here is a list of dogs not allowed:

Ineligible breeds for all states other than the ones listed below for new business.
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
American Staffordshire Terrier
Bullmastiff (not MI and MD)
Chow Chow
Doberman Pinscher
Great Dane
Pit Bull
Presa Canario (not MI and MD)
Rottweiler
Siberian Husky
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Wolf Hybrids of ANY kind

The day care next door has a new pit bull also and I am not sure how they get away with it.

A tenant of mine just informed me she got a pit bull puppy and did not ask permission. It states in my lease they need written permission.

The tenant is kinda slow and I could not understand what she was saying over the phone but it sounds like she is keeping it outside in the unfenced front yard.

What are my rights to deny a pit bull and how do I go about it since she did not ask and just got it? I would allow a dog up to 30lbs and thats it. Can I say that?

She is a great potential long term tenant and I do not want to
make her upset since she has a long rental history. Normally I would give notice to get rid of the dog or move out but considering the bad rental economy in the area and she is a good tenant I do not want to give an ultimatum and piss her family off.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

I know a few agents in W sea who have props personally and I can ask them.
Where is your prop at?

I talked to the tenant the pressure is fine everywhere but to the kitchen faucet. The trigger sprayer next to the faucet is even fine. Maybe something stuck in the faucet line? How would this happen?