Is it possible to put a tenant’s name on a rental property’s water/sewer bill? Yes, the owner and tenant will enter into a Tenant Billing Agreement.
Is the landlord liable for the tenant’s water bill in Ohio?
Water service is a perk of owning a home, and the expense of this service is solely the property owner’s burden.
The property owner is liable for payment to GCWW for all billed amounts for water delivery to the Property, according to Cincinnati Municipal Code (CMC)401-94 and-95.
This covers any fees incurred by tenants or others.
The terms of a lease or any other private agreements between a landlord and a tenant (or other party) regarding the payment of utility charges are strictly private agreements that do not affect or remove the owner’s responsibility to pay the costs of utility service in any way.
GCWW will send a duplicate copy or “courtesy bill” to a tenant (or other third party) at the owner’s request; however, the owner is still accountable to GCWW for payment of the cost.
- The property’s account is held by the owner. Each month, GCWW sends the owner a charge for water service (and other utility and public services).
- The tenant’s receipt of a courtesy bill does not relieve the owner of his or her obligation to pay all charges, late and other fees, and any other billed amounts for water service to the property. The account owner is liable for all payments on the account, including late fees and other costs.
- GCWW and Courtesy Bill Recipient have no legal relationship as a result of the owner’s authorization or GCWW’s issue of courtesy bills to tenants or other third parties.
- Any outstanding charges will not be pursued by GCWW against the tenant or any other courtesy bill recipient.
- Any agreement between the owner and a renter or other third party (property management, etc.) about GCWW costs has no bearing on the owner’s obligation to GCWW to guarantee that all charges are paid on time.
- Failure to pay by a tenant or other third party under a private agreement is a matter between the renter and the owner alone, and has no influence on the owner’s duties to GCWW.
UTILITY SHUTOFF IS NOT A PERMITTED LEGAL MEANS OF RESOLVING LANDLORD-TENANT PROBLEMS.
- GCWW is empowered by CMC Ch. 401 to suspend water service for nonpayment of bills and other infractions of CMC 401. GCWW’s delinquent shutdown policy is predicated on making optimal use of utility personnel and resources. The owner has no legal authority to rely on GCWW water disconnection to manage his or her relationship with his or her tenants.
- Landlords are prohibited from terminating utility service for the purpose of eviction under Ohio Revised Code5321.15, and a violation of this ban makes the landlord liable to the tenant for damages and attorneys’ costs.
- Utility shutoff is not a legitimate option for resolving landlord-tenant disputes.
- According to CMC 401-93-A, if an owner causes the disconnection of water service by failing to pay charges for previous service or willingly causes the disconnection of water service, except for repairs or emergencies, they are liable for compensatory damages to all persons or entities denied the benefits of water service (d).
- Landlords are required by Ohio Revised Code 5321.04 to provide flowing water to tenants at all times.
- Owners of property in the City of Cincinnati are obligated to provide a continuous and appropriate supply of water from GCWW to all homes through acceptable plumbing in good working order, and shall not turn off or cause the water supply to be turned off except for repairs.
- Regulation 00053-3 of the Cincinnati Board of Health.
IN THE EVENT THAT THE OWNER FAILS TO MAKE PAYMENTS, THE TENANTS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS.
If the owner fails to make payments, a renter may be able to make payment arrangements with GCWW for nonpayment of past due amounts that are acceptable to GCWW in order to have water service restored or avoided. According to CMC 401-93-A, the tenant may have the right to deduct the amount of such payment from any future rent payment (e). GCWW can be reached at (513)591-7700 to discuss payment options. For further information regarding their legal rights, tenants should call the Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio at 513-241-9400.
BEFORE SIGNING A LEASE, TENANTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE NOTIFIED OF A LEAD WATER SERVICE LINE.
Do tenants have to pay their water bills?
‘The tenant shall be responsible for all charges associated with the consumption of services supplied to the premises, including electricity, gas, water, and telephone,’ according to Clause 46 of the Residential Tenancies Act.
Is it true that tenants are responsible for their own utility bills?
Although tenants are normally responsible for paying utility bills, if they fail to do so, the landlord may be held liable. If the leasing agreement does not clearly transfer obligation to the renters, this is likely to occur.
What portion of the water bill is paid by the renter?
Any fixed water charges billed by a water company in New Zealand are the responsibility of the landlord. Whether your property is inhabited or not, you must pay these fees.
If your property’s water is billed based on usage, your tenant is liable for paying for metered water that is directly related to the property. If the property does not have an individual meter, the landlord is responsible for both the metered and fixed charges.
Some water companies are increasingly included wastewater utilization calculations in their computations. Water that drains down your drains, such as from the shower and toilet, is referred to as wastewater.
Tenants may be charged for wastewater that is directly related to their usage, such as when the wastewater price is calculated as a percentage of metered consumption.
Landlords are responsible for paying fixed wastewater rates, which are calculated as a fixed annual amount divided by twelve.
In Ohio, what are the rights of renters?
The state of Ohio’s landlord-tenant statute provides tenants with specific rights, including the right to equitable housing, the right to a refund of the security deposit, and the right to notice before landlord entry. Habitability and retaliation are governed by other laws.
When you rent an apartment, what bills do you have to pay?
Utility bills, often known as utility expenses, are a broad phrase that refers to the various services and goods that make up a property’s operating costs, allowing you to live comfortably. Gas, electricity, water, home landline, broadband, and council tax are common examples. Security systems, trash collection, and sewer waste are all examples of utility costs in some locations. The majority of these service expenses will be borne by and paid by every household in the United Kingdom.
In a Queensland rental house, who pays for water?
If the premises are individually metered or if water is provided to the premises and your agreement indicates that you must pay for water, you may be requested to pay for it.
Do tenants in New South Wales have to pay for water usage?
Water is different from other utilities in that it is always connected, and the water supply account will be in the name of the landlord.
All water supply service charges and sewerage supply service charges must be paid by the landlord.
In NSW, a landlord can only ask a tenant to pay water consumption costs if the following conditions are met:
- A separate meter is installed on the premises (or water is provided by vehicle), and
- The fees are not greater than the amount billed to the landlord by the water company, and
- The property complies with the ‘water efficiency’ requirements.
Water is brought by vehicle to the property, which is independently metered.
The fees do not exceed the amount charged by the water supplier to the landlord, and
The building complies with ‘water efficiency’ requirements.
Important advice from us
- Tenancy agreements are unlikely to coincide with water billing periods. To guarantee that the renter is not paying for the water usage of another tenant, the water meter reading should be indicated on the condition report at the beginning and end of each tenancy.
- If tenants believe their water bill is excessively high, they should contact their local water provider.
- If tenants destroy or tamper with the water efficiency measures, they will be responsible for water usage and may be required to pay to replace them.
- Water usage must be paid by social housing tenants according to ministerial instructions released by the Department of Communities and Justice.
Do tenants have to pay the water service charge?
Is it necessary for me to pay the water bill if I’m renting? The landlord will pay the usual water rates, but most renters will be taxed for the use of their utilities, including water, just as they are for gas and electricity.
Is it possible for me to be held liable for a utility bill that is not in my name?
The bill should be paid solely by the individual whose name appears on the account. If your name isn’t on the bill, you shouldn’t and can’t be held liable, and it shouldn’t have any impact on your credit.
