Yes, it's in the lease that I pay the water bill. I guess I figured when I signed the lease that I would get a bill, or he would tell me what I owed him. I got invoiced from the gas and electric co. and paid them. I never rec'd a bill from the water company, I was never asked to pay the water bill, and when I called the water company, my unit in the duplex doesn't have a water meter, so they couldn't give me a bill if they wanted to. Since I never rec'd a bill, I totally forgot about paying it. I mean, how long do you have to wait for a bill?
So when I bought a house and moved out I stayed in contact with my landlord. He was going to walk through the appt and send me my deposit back in the mail. Instead, I get a letter from my landlord saying he is withholding my deposit because I owe him for 18 months worth of water! (which he NEVER asked for, NEVER mentioned, nothing!) Is that even legal? He doesn't show me a bill, nothing, just says I owe him $500.
I am in Ohio
2007-01-08 04:15:29 · 4 answers · asked by Colleen S 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
It is in your lease that you pay for water and it doesn't say how he will collect, so YES you have to pay it.
However, he has to show you documentation of water bills and demonstrate why you owe him this particular amount.
2007-01-08 04:22:14 · answer #1 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NEVER! As a landlord myself...this is the legal reason why: If your rent, is let's say $1,000 per month, and they pay you $500, and at the end of the month, you don't get the other $500....you CANNOT file for an eviction for non-payment. The court will say that you accepted a partial payment, and will make you wait until you have went a full 30 days without any payment, before you can file. I learned that the hard way as a new landlord.
2016-05-23 10:39:34 · answer #2 · answered by Susan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What town are you in? If it is not metered, then the Water company is not charging you. The landlord should have at least attached it to the rent so you would be paying something, Then again if it is not metered then he has no way of knowing how much you used anyway. So no he can't do this. Take him to court, I want to see how this would play out with Judge Marilyn Milian. He just can't make up a migical number out the air and ask for that.
2007-01-08 04:22:59 · answer #3 · answered by karakittle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if your unit didn't have a water meter, there's no way that a bill could be rendered. This toad sounds like a sleazeball, to be honest.
He has 30 days to render a full accounting in writing upon move-out. If he hasn't done that, he loses any right to deduct from your deposit. If the 30 days are up, remind him of that fact and demand your deposit in full or you will take him to small claims court. (I've done this successfully 3 times over the years.)
2007-01-08 04:37:24 · answer #4 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋