Water charge question in 2 family house in NY. - Landlord Forum thread 321696

Water charge question in 2 family house in NY. by Steve (NY) on July 23, 2014 @15:13

Is a NY landlord allowed to add a water charge with one meter?
If Landlords family is 2 people and tenant is 2 also can landlord estimate what half of the water charge is and put in the lease there is a monthly water charge $30.00 monthly in addition to rent?
Is this legal without 2 meters?
We have one large 75 gal water tank, and 1 meter.
Do we estimate based on last year water bill and just increase the rent with a new tenant and not add a monthly water charge in a 2 family house?
Thanks for your input.

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Re: Water charge question in 2 family house in NY. by Anonymous on July 23, 2014 @17:01	[ Reply ]

You have no way to know how much water each tenant uses unless you have separate meters. Make sure the cost of water is included in your rents and leave it at that. Do not state anything as 'additional' for water. It's all rent. You don't want the tenants getting into a pissing contest with you or each other about who is using how much water. Build it into the rent and be done with it.

Re: Water charge question in 2 family house in NY. by Katiekate (New York) on July 23, 2014 @17:28	[ Reply ]

Just include it in the rent. Per above...do not mention anything about the water...just include it in your rent and make sure the tenants are not washing cars or running a laundry for all their friends or as a business in the side. Also... Check all you plumbing yourself. Verify that you do not have a leaking faucet or running toilet. You should be doing this often in any case

Re: Water charge question in 2 family house in NY.