Water/Sewer Bill - Landlord Forum thread 259034

Water/Sewer Bill by Mickey (North Carolina) on June 27, 2012 @16:57

Hello, I'm both new to this forum and a new landlord, recently inheriting a trailer park with a couple of houses. I have many questions, but I'll just ask one for now...

An issue my wife and I are debating is how the local water/sewer corporation holds the landlord accountable for unpaid water/sewer bills by the tenant. Although some may argue if this is legal/ethical, unfortunately, the town requires the landlord to sign a contract. After inheriting this park, there is an accumulation of about $1,000 total worth of unpaid water/sewer bills I will have to pay for, a few of them anywhere between $200 to $300 each.

My question is that should I, as the landlord, change the water/sewer bills to my name, pay for the new tenant's water/sewer, and charge new tenants extra per month for their water/sewer? I would charge the new tenant extra if they go over a preset limit, of course. Or should I keep it as it is currently, and let the tenant pay their own water/sewer until they leave or stop paying?

The reason we're even contemplating this is because although the local water/sewer corporation is suppose to cut off the tenant's water/sewer 30 days when it's past due, it seems they are not (due to these outrageous water/sewer bills I'm receiving), leaving it turned on possibly for two or three months for the tenant to use before they finally cut it off.

However, if my wife and I change the water/sewer bills in our name, and it's our responsibility to pay them, when a tenant doesn't pay their rent, I could contact the local water/sewer corporation to have their water/sewer cut off as soon as possible, within the legal limitations of the law, of course.

Our local electrical company doesn't hold the landlord responsible for unpaid power bills, and other local water/sewer corporations within my county also do not. Thanks for any feedback of what we should do!

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Re: Water/Sewer Bill by Nicole (PA) on June 27, 2012 @18:10	[ Reply ]

different municipalities have different methods for water/trash/sewer - one in my area even the electric. If it is a municipal service, it is the property owner's responsibility because it is lienable. I would have my lease state that it's to be paid timely. if not paid within 10 days of the due date, I would reserve the right to pay it myself and add a surcharge to the tenant - this would be paid first out of the next check which would then make the rent be late. I'm guessing a few months "learning curve" for the tenants should be implemented and they'll either "get it" or they'll be on their way.

Re: Water/Sewer Bill by Anonymous on June 27, 2012 @20:35	[ Reply ]

Why not roll the cost into "rent". Can you get the average water usage from the water company - then use that to increase the rent to cover your cost for water. If they don't pay rent.....they can be evicted.

Re: Water/Sewer Bill by OK-LL on June 27, 2012 @23:39	[ Reply ]

Can you take a separate "water deposit" and leave the water bill in the tenant's name? If they leave you holding the water bag at the end of the lease, you can use the "water deposit" to cover it and still have the full security deposit available for physical damages to the property. If not needed, it is 100% refundable to the tenant. Knowing the length of time the water utility keeps the service on without payment, I would ask for a water deposit equal to the average of 3 months water use for that property.

Re: Water/Sewer Bill