Find solution
How To Pay Water Bill Online In Mumbai?

A leaky toilet caused my water bill to 3x. Should my landlord pay for the difference?

  • This is the second time that faulty plumbing has caused my water bill to soar. Usually the water bill is included with rents but my landlord makes me pay for everything: trash, water, gardener, gas and electric. On top of that, my water bill, which is normally about 50 bucks, came out to be 150!! Should I deduct the difference from next month's rent?

  • Answer:

    You are not legally allowed to deduct any amount from your rent if you signed a lease. You can be taken to court by your landlord if you do (which is like adding insult to injury). You can submit your repair bill (or documented letters requesting repair and the landlords actions) and request reimbursement. If he will not reimburse, submit the same to the water company. I know our public utility will reevaluate utility bills if you can prove there was a problem and that it was repaired. If a credit shows up on the water bill (you didn't say whether you get a copy of the bill or not or if it comes directly to you) than you are entitled to that refund. If the bill is sent directly to you, you will get the credit (ie if the bill is in your name). Problem solved. If the landlord gets the credit and doesn't pass it on to you, you can threaten to take them to landlord/tenant court. It's free except for the paperwork filing cost (in our state it's very minimal $10-$40). The judge will more than likely rule in your favor.

monica g at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

You can not just arbitrarily deduct from your rent. The is a legal process you must follow first. Check your state laws for the procedure.

reenzz

Did you TELL your land loard that the toilet was malfunctioning? If not, how would you expect them to know about it? Don't deduct anything. Call your landlord and talk to them about it.

Yogi

If in your lease it states that you are responsible for utilities, you are responsible for utilities, plain and simple. Regardless of whether or not you informed your landlord of the issue, or if he was negligent in getting it fixed immediately, unless you and he agreed otherwise, in writing, that you could deduct some of this bill, it's your bill. There are other actions you could have taken, even if he didn't get it fixed right away, such as, like one person pointed out, turning off the water at the source. Sure, it doesn't seem fair, and you certainly could go to small claims court over it, but who knows if you would win, and ultimately it could impact your relationship with the landlord - when your lease comes due, he may remember this and decide not renew you, which is within his rights. It wouldn't hurt to tell the landlord about the bill and just see if he offers to pay some share of it, but if he doesn't, you're probably better off just sucking it up and paying it. Technically, it's your responsibility anyway.

acb

uh..did you report it? Did he know it was leaking and refuse to fix it? Turn off the valve between uses? I can't see it.

wizjp

NO! Although it would be fair it would not be legal. The landlord is not legally required to pay any part of your water bill in the event of a leak. also - they are not being unfair by having you pay your own utilities. It is actually much more common to not have them included than it is to have them included.

Wildcat

I am a renter as well. And we had a leaky toilet too. But i had been slacking in the "alert" department and didn't have time to alert my landlord to the problem, it took me about a month to let them know. So I didn't see the need to charge them for my high bill. But I think if you notified them right away when it started and it took them a long time to address the problem, then yes you should write them a letter alerting them why your rent check is less. Not your fault they aren't on top of things.

zittykitty

I wouldn't ask-- I'd send him a bill for the difference. Especially if you had specifically expressed your concern (ie., the toilet was leaking) and he failed to fix it. Either way, I would think that he could be held liable since it is technically his property, he is not keeping up with maintenence. There's a rule about that somewhere! Good luck

Ms. M

Dear... a leaky toilet that triples a water bill makes noise. Did you hear it? No? Take the Ipod and cell phone from your ears. Did you say anything about it? Can you prove it? Did you send cert mail as to the problem. I suggest you move.

Michael L

its worth a try

jillscowboys

Load more

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.