Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Water Bill

I have been a landlord and never charged my tenants. But I recently started renting a house. I know the landlord and we have an informal relationship and decided to work on a lease together. I put the utilities in my name but he sent me the water bill for me to pay. I always assumed the water was the landlords responsibility unless stated so as a special case. By the way there isn't a large lawn so the bill is average for a small family. He has not rented his house in the past and may not know what is 'standard operating procedure'. Thanks in advance!


Asked on 3/15/06, 9:00 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

JOHN GUERRINI THE GUERRINI LAW FIRM - COLLECTION LAWYERS

Re: Water Bill

There is no such thing as "standard operating procedure". The matter of which party pays for what charges is left to the agreement of the parties. The written lease should speak to the issue.

Practically speaking, we are not talking a lot of money. Come to a reasonable agreement with the other side.

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Answered on 3/15/06, 9:14 pm


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