Increased water bill - Landlord Forum thread

Increased water bill by Sasha (GA) on July 29, 2012 @16:09

Tenant called me that there was an increase in his water bill. He was thinking it could be either a broken pipe or sprinkler. Wanted me to get somebody to look it into it? He has been there in my property for more than a year now. Im thinking it is his job to get somebody to check out if there s some damages to be repaired. Or is it me as LL? Pls advise. Thank you for all Your inputs.

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Re: Increased water bill by Anonymous on July 29, 2012 @16:15	[ Reply ]

How much of an increase is there? Did he show you the bill he received and the one previously? Could he just be using more water since it is in the middle of a hot summer? Perhaps the water company raised the rates?

Re: Increased water bill

Re: Increased water bill by Lola on July 29, 2012 @16:31	[ Reply ]

This happened to me. Have them read the meter before they go to bed and in the am when they wake up ...I.e., when NO water has been used. If there is a difference you could have a leak somewhere...in my case a toilet was running and a faucet was leaking...I fixed it. (you think they could have just reported the toilet and faucet but they didn't seem to notice it). But... This is why small plumbing repairs should be handled by tenants..see LPAs recent email and letter about this.

Re: Increased water bill by Jake on July 29, 2012 @17:32	[ Reply ]

What does you lease say about plumbing repairs? If there is a leak that doubled the water bill it would not require a plumber to come out and hunt for it. The water should be coursing across the lawn on its way to the ocean. Did you ask the guy to check his toilet flappers? You should at lease have a minor curiosity about this water leak in case it is damaging your property.

Re: Increased water bill by Kim (GA) on July 29, 2012 @19:17	[ Reply ]

We just had a huge bill for a ruined basement due to a neglected water heater leak. The tenant must have had an increased water bill, but did not mention to me. I wish they had. Knowing how horrendous water damage can be, if I were you, I'd go take a look for myself. Good luck, Kim

Re: Increased water bill by Douglas (KS) on July 29, 2012 @23:06	[ Reply ]

I ha this a couple of times, and it was the pipe running from the city water main across the lawn into the house - a leak in my water supply pipe to the house. As someone said, have the water dept come out and assist you with checking for leaks.

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Re: Increased water bill by Eloise on July 30, 2012 @08:44	[ Reply ]

I rent {and am also a LL}. In my current home, that I rent, I had the water company come over and TELL me I needed to check my water pipes because they thought I might have a leak somewhere due to over 100% more usage in my water. I thought this was odd but I contacted the owner and he had someone come right away. The plumber said it was a leaky hose {which I honestly don't believe but I am giving it a couple of more months to see if there is any difference} since before calling the LL I inspected the entire house, including this "leaky hose". The LL paid for the plumber, but I did offer to re-imburse him since after the plumber left I felt silly making him come over! He declined, the plumber also fixed a leaky faucet }very very minor, seldom leak} and he said he was happy to get that fixed. In my opinion, the LL should pay for the initial fee since the T normally only takes care of minor things, and you don't want your tenant patching up a bad job! However, if it comes that the T has been neglecting, then I'd charge them.

Re: Increased water bill by Sammy (Wa) on July 30, 2012 @11:29	[ Reply ]

If the bill says irrigation , why not get on the phone with the phone company and ask them what this charge is for. It may be that you have to pay for community irrigation charge at certain times during the summer and have nothing to do with a leak. Seems to me the answer is just a phone call away.

Re: Increased water bill by Betty L on July 30, 2012 @11:58	[ Reply ]

The best thing to do is go look at the meter itself. Make sure that no water is being used indoors and every thing is turned off. Go look at the meter, you will find a small red triangle on the face of the dial. If this small red triangle is moving, evevn slowly, than you have something leaking somewhere. Double check all faucets are off, D/W is not running, Washing machine is off. Them check to see if any toilets have leaks at the flapper valves. Go thru and check all and everything to be sure you have nothing leaking. If you do , fix it. If the small red dail is spining fast when eveything is off, you have a serious leak somewhere, call a plumbler. In Georgia, most water companies will allow you to install a separate meter for irrigation. That way, you do not have to pay sewer feesfor irrigation water.