Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Maryland

Recent property purchase/Water bill

Prior to even moving in, I received a notification from Baltimore City stating that the water bill was long overdue and that if it was not immediately paid, a lawsuit would be filed and a lien placed on the property. Whose responsibility was it to take care of this? The closing agent/attorney? Why should I have to pay for water used by the former owner? Now, neither the closing agent nor the attorney will respond to my calls and e-mails. What recourse do I have?


Asked on 5/28/08, 2:04 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

Re: Recent property purchase/Water bill

It was the settlement attorney's responsibility to withhold sufficient funds from the seller's sales proceeds to pay the water bill. He/she should have arranged for a meter reading as of the settlement date, which would generate a bill from the water company that would be sent to the settlement attorney. The bill would then be paid from the water escrow.

I suggest you send the water bill to the settlement attorney and advise them that if they do not take care of this, you will sue them for reimbursement.

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Answered on 5/28/08, 4:21 pm


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