landlord sent me a water bill dating from the time I moved in 10/05 to 12/06 that he wants me to pay?

Question

the landlord never told me that I had to pay water bill. He told me I was responsible for rent,electricity,phone. It is vague in the lease about what utilities that i am responsible for. what should I do because i can't afford to pay this bill of 900 plus dollars

Answer 1

Your lease is likely going to have strong bearing on the answer to this question. What do you mean by 'vague'? Does it just say you're responsible for utilities in general?

Unless the lease specifically states that you're responsible for water, the fact that you haven't been billed at all until now, over ONE YEAR after your lease began, along with your denial of any oral agreement, would suggest that you may have grounds for dispute.

Personally - I'd speak with the landlord first, explaining that water was never part of the agreement, and that if there was a misunderstanding, you would have thought the issue would have been brought to light before now. Be polite, but firm. The only way you're going to get out of this without either your credit or your pocketbook damaged is if you can convince the landlord to drop the issue. But if the issue can't be resolved with the landlord, I think it would be in your best interest to speak to an attorney. Personally, I'd rather hand my money to someone on my side, rather than someone who (IMO) is obviously trying to screw me over.

Answer 2

OK the key at this point if the landlord feels some how you owe and you do not and believe the lease is on your side only a judge will be able to solve this

so be on the look out for a complaint sent in the mail regular mail naming you in a suit in small claims, for if you fail to show up on that court date if you are sued the landlord will get a judgment and that's it

if you fell you are right, then keep a copy of lease, and letters or such that show the landlord was responsible for the water and let him sue you

if you paid all other utilities but never the water when you stayed at the unit, and now at the end of the lease the landlord is billing you , it should be landlord's burden to show cause

also in your favor would be if this is multi unit with one meter

Answer 3

You need to have it clarified in writing what you are responsible for paying. Try to work things out with him without small claims court, but if necessary take it there.
He really cannot demand that you pay this bill, since he let it go on month after month for more than a year without ever telling you about it. Had that utility not been included in the rent, he should have presented the first bill to you after you moved in--- or had the water shut off and you would need to have it reconnected in your name.
Most utilities for rentals are handled by having everything off and the new renter is in charge of paying for whatever deposits are needed, and directly paying each month to keep the services on, etc..
You may end up having to pay for your own water in the future, but I don't think he would win the case in small claims court for the past bills.

Answer 4

It seems to me that if he did not state in the rent agreement, then you should not have to pay. Now, I will go to small claims court to settle this matter. He really doesn't have a case, he is trying to railroad you. Besides the water bill is not in your name so you are not legally responsible. And another thing he held the bill for over a year without telling you that he wanted you to pay the water bill. Now, if you take him to small claims, I would be looking for a new place to stay because now he's going to do some terrible things. So try to get a new apartment lined up. Good luck.

Answer 5

Court may be your only choice, but I would ask him to show you in the lease where it says you are responsible. The only way you are responsible (legally) that I can see is if the utility is in your name...which I would assume it isn't if he's giving you the bill and not the water company.

Find the part in the lease and check with an attorney if you can.

Answer 6

Tenant responsibilities are to be clearly listed in either the lease agreement or a lease addendum. For example, I am 35 and have had several apartments over the years and one condo and all (condo association rules too) clearly list what you are responsible for. That is the law... they can't sketch up a vague contract then add to it as they please. Besides... think about this: Me personally, I have never seen a multi-dwelling building with individual water meters... especially with apts. Even condos/lofts most often water is included in your association dues. So... chew on this: if you don't have your own meter how can the landlord possibly account for your water usage fairly. He story holds NO WATER...LOL

Answer 7

Is this water bill in your name? 900 seems like your paying for more than one family's water bill. Read your least, with reading glasses if you have to, the fine print to. Sounds like their has been a misunderstanding or the landlord is trying to get you to pay his bill too, since He sent you this bill and not the power co. Well that how we pay our water bill here in FL. Better business bureau should be able=e to assist you in this matter or anybody, but read the darn thing first. Do you have a pool?

Answer 8

You need to take your lease to a lawyer or legal aid counsel for some advice. I have *never* signed a lease that wasn't extremely explicit about what utilities I was responsible for. If the lease wasn't clear enough then you may be able to have a judge say you aren't responsible for the debt.

Either way, you need to find a new landlord.

Answer 9

You can only rely on the lease. Are other utilities in your name? If so, and water wasn't, you might have a case, considering he held the bill for 14 months. See if legal aid might be able to help.

Answer 10

The first question is when did he tell you about the water bill. Sounds like it was well after the fact. If the language is vague in the lease and your finding out 1 year after the fact, the court is probably going to think its sour grapes. Go to court, they well send you to mediation and you have nothing to lose. Good luck