Do I have to pay?

Question

I recently had a water leak under the place I am staying in and the landlord wants me to pay a 300 dollar water bill. Now I didnt even know the pipe had burst because all that week it was raining and when we got our rent bill this month it had a charge for the leak. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Okay this is a mobile home I am renting and the landlords are not COMPLETE jerks but they only come around on the first to collect rent checks. Now as I said before it was raining the ENTIRE week when this happened so there was no suspicion of a leak under the house. I do have a lawyer on stand-by ready to take my case and sue but Im hoping the advice I get from you all would help me not to go that far.

The landlords who owned the place where I live now never used to charge for water, but ever since these new landlords took over they installed thier own meters and they are doing the billing themselves. Am I still liable?

Answer 1

Unless this is a co-op apartment or a condo where your actually own part of the realestate, this is the landlords responsibility.

Answer 2

I am assuming that the landlord paid for the repair. Generally the landlord is responsible for the repair of the property unless you agreed to be responsible for repairs in your lease. You will need to check your lease to see if you signed a lease where you are responsible. I've seen them before but they are not common.

Now you state that he is asking you to pay for the water bill of $300.00. Again, you will have to check your lease to see if you are responsible. Most leases to state that the landlord is to be notified in a reasonable amount of time for any repairs and that the tenant may be liable for any additional damages if the repait is not reported. This is a touchy situation and one that the courts may have to step in to decide. It all comes down to that "reasonable" amount of time. Was it reasonable to consider you should notice a leak that allowed $300 worth of water to spill out? Sure, there should have been signs like a drop in water pressure, water around the property, etc. Is it also reasonable to consider that you didn't notice that there was a leak because of rain. The answer to that question is also yes. That's why it may end up going to court.

Personally, as a landlord I would send the bill to my tenants. If they came at me with an offer of paying half the bill I would probably accept it. The reason is that I think a court case like this might or might not go my way depending on the mood of the judge that day.

Try and offer to pay half and see if the landlord accepts it. that way neither of you have to take the chance in court. The alternative is court where one of you will most likely end up paying the whole thing. Or the judge may be named Solomon and say "split the bill down the middle".

One thing, if you don't pay he will most likely start an eviction process or take it out of your security deposit. If he does that you may not know about it until you decide to move.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Unfortunately you will have to pay. You will most likely be in violation of your lease if you do not opening you up to some legal troubles which include eviction and possibly being sued for the remainder of your lease's value. If you had any discounts you will be forced to repay them as well. If you get evicted, you wont be able to dispute any damages found when they inspect the appartment and sue you for damages.

If you step out of bounds of that lease you are going to get screwed, and they are probably hoping you will. The best thing you can do is call them and very politely explain the situation. There is a chance this is just an oversight. Some places are respectable and would rather have you renew your lease, than have you pay a $300 water bill. Other places will bend the law to the maximum in order to take you for every penny you have. Good luck.

Answer 4

Unless you caused the leak, you really don't owe the money unless you typically pay the water bill. That's the landlord's responsibility. If he gets tough about it, go to the landlord/tenant board in your city. And keep an accurate record of everything that transpires.

Answer 5

Well, it goes like this: You should have noticed, but didn't. Landlord will bill you. If you don't pay you will be evicted. You can bring a lawsuit to court, but after fees you will have to pay and time you will have to waste, you might as well start looking for another apartment.

Answer 6

If the roof leaks would you be responsible for drywall damage or damage to the carpet? (hell no). If there was a fire in the attic from old wiring (hell no). If the hotwater tank goes out would you be responsible to replace it NO.
Its the landloards problem. Not the tennets problem to take care of these type of items.

Answer 7

If he ordinarily pays for the water, he is responsible...

But...

Tell him to call the local water authority. Usually, when you can show there has been a leak, you will only be charged for your normal usage. Volunteer to call for him, because, you see...

My cynical side is telling me he already knows this, but is going to get the money from you, get them to drop the charge, and keep the money himself.

Answer 8

Under your place? As in not inside your rented area? Not your problem; infrastructure is the landlord's/owner's problem. Check your lease.

Answer 9

The landlord is responsible because you are only the tenant who lives there. His responsibility is to maintain the complex and in case of a leak, repair or replacement he is solely responsible.

Answer 10

Arthur it's the landlord's problem. I would only pay him what you normally do.