Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Can a water company bill the landlord for tenant default in a water bill, if the rental agreement states the bill will be paid by the tenant? I recieved the yearly payment book for 2012, am i responsable to pay monthly water bills for a tenant? The water bill was $50 for 30 years now in 2011, it is $75 can they raise the amount 50% in one year?


Asked on 12/30/11, 2:24 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Shers Law Offices of Georges H. Shers

You probably do have the ultimate responsibility; certainly cities take that position for garbage bills. You can not shut the water off to force the tenant out so you probably can not refuse to pay the water bill. Failure to pay is a basis to give the tenant a three day notice.

The water company, unlike PG&E I believe, is not required to get approval as to increasing bills [if it is then it would not do so without such approval]. The cost of water has gone up and a $25 increase is not that significant for over a thirty year period of time.

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Answered on 1/05/12, 4:12 pm


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