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Tenant is recently trying to find a way to cut the monthly rent every other month.
So we have replaced the water heater in Oct. 2017.
Now in December 2017, they are saying:
Quote:
“As a heads up our water bill is over $900 when it is normally about $150.
After having a technician do an inspection, they have concluded it is due to the water heater and toilets. We have replaced the water heater as you know.
If we are not approved for a "leak adjustment" from the water company they informed us it is the responsibility of the landlord to pay the increased balance.”
The lease states the water bill is tenant's responsibility, and it’s been transferred to tenant’s name by movie in 2 years ago.
I would check technicians report to see if there is specific information regarding leaks. If not I would check or have checked all sink faucets, water heater, and outside water outlets and sprinklers, as well as toilets for leaks and flushing mechanisms. If there are no leaks, I would assume the tenants are using excess water by leaving it running.
If tenants are "using the water" they are responsible for the bill.
If water use is due to a landlord item (piping, fixtures, water heater, etc), the landlord becomes responsible for excess use.
Regardless of what a lease may say, in CA water use means what a tenant uses, not what is used due to landlord's items.
Water heaters that aren't working well might up the power bill, but they do not increase the water bill, unless water is visibly leaking from the tank. If water is visibly leaking, tenant is responsible for notifying the landlord--- not watch the water flow all over the floor until the big water bill arrives and then complain to the landlord, not about the leak but about the cost of the water.
OP, I suggest you go over and make sure the toilets are not running, which would be your responsibility to fix, but not your responsibility to pay the water bill if the tenant never reported the toilet needed repair.
If the house has a crawl space, look underneath to see if there are wet spots from a plumbing leak. Actually if there is a plumbing leak, you should be able to hear it while inside the house. There will be a hissing noise. Again, not your water bill if the tenant never reported it.
Walk the length of the exterior water line to see if there are any wet spots that might indicate a leak in the water line. I think there are some plumbers with a tool that sniffs out exterior leaks.
If I had a tenant trying to cut the rent every other month, I'd get rid of the tenant. Although, I do make the effort to keep my plumbing in good order, but I don't have much patience with tenants who keep complaining about having to pay the rent.
OP is in CA so who knows what crazy nonsense CA will require of you but generally:
1) Never agree to make any concessions unless receipts are provided and only after the concession is agreed to and in writing.
2) Never base your repairs or concessions on a contractor's opinion when you aren't the one who hired the contractor.
3) It isn't your responsibility to pay for anything unless the cause of the excessive usage is due to your neglect, if they had notified you of a high bill and you didn't fix it right away or if they had notified you of a running toilet and you ignored it.
$900 in water is something extremely weird and I'd have a plumber I trust there right away. I'd bet it wouldn't cost that much to fill a pool, probably 4 times over, where I am but our average water bill is only $80.
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