If my landlord has been over charging me for water, what should I do?
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If my landlord has been over charging me for water, what should I do?
Right after the landlord bought the mobilhome park he started charging 1/28th of the park water bill. (28 spaces) Some spaces have 2 people living there and some, like mine, have only one tenet. Can he charge us all the same amount regardless of usage?
Asked on September 27, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Washington
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
If you have a written lease for your spot at the mobile home park, you need to carefully read it in that its terms and conditions control the obligations owed to you by the landlord and vice versa in the absence of conflicitng state law. If there is a provision concerning utilities such as water, read it carefully in that it may very well set forth how the payment for water is to be assessed and its allocation.
If so, such a provision may answer your question.
Most rental units per code (if applicable) usually have their own separate meters for electricity and water usage. You might consider contacting your local building and permit department to see if this is a requirement in the county where you live. If so, this may resolve your issue.
Absent the above, you might consider speaking with your landlord about either metering each rental or charging the water bill per person per unit as opposed to by the unit at the park.
Good question.
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