Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Florida

Re: utility bill

section 125.485 applies only to rental units and not to owners. section 687.01 deals with interest -- nothing to do with water bills.

Ask to see the ordinance. I would be surprised if it allowed you to be charged for the water usage of a prior owner.

Re: utility bill

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Without discussing whether or not the Statutes are being interpreted correctly, I would suggest that you contact the closing agent or title company who had the responsibility to make sure that all outstanding obligations were paid. If he/she/it did not escrow funds for the final utility payments or otherwise correctly handle this matter, the responsibility would be theirs to pay this obligation.

In South Florida, attorneys acting as the closing agent routinely order Lien Letters prior to a closing which verifies all existing utilities , taxes, and other government obligations for the subject property. Appropriate payments or prorations are then made at closing. Also, monies are often escrowed for the final utility bills pending payment by the seller.

Scott R. Jay, Esq.