Am I responsible for paying a water bill if I have been livingrenting for lastthe 2 yearswith no mention of paying the bill until now?
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Am I responsible for paying a water bill if I have been livingrenting for lastthe 2 yearswith no mention of paying the bill until now?
Water bill was just shown to me by landlord; it’s for $700. I have no lease.
Asked on June 13, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If not only was there no agreement for you to pay the water bill, but--based on the demonstrable practice of the last 2 years, where you did not pay the water bill--there in fact could be shown that there as an implied agreement that you did *not* pay for water, then no: the landlord cannot make you pay for any water, for any period to date. Effectively, by your course of dealing, you and the landlord have shown that the agreement was that you did not have to pay this bill.
Of course, with no written lease, you are a month-to-month tenant, and a landlord may change the terms and conditions of a month to month rental going forward, on a month's notice. Therefore, the landlord could require you to pay the water bill in the future.
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