We currently rent our home for $750/month. We don't have access to the garage so we pay another $100/month for a storage unit. When we rented this home we were told it was rent + electricity.

Well, yesterday we called the landlord and gave our notice for the end of August. We are moving in to a new house at that time. He mentioned that he would be bringing the water bill over for us. We didn't even know the place was on a water meter. It's only $50 but the point was this was NEVER mentioned. Do you think that water should be a homeowners responsibility?

We don't want to fuss too much b/c we don't want to ruffle feathers when it comes to getting our damage deposit in 6 weeks.

Your thoughts?

By Pamt on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 10:11 am:

It's only $50 and I wouldn't worry about. Plus you were told rent plus electricity, not water. I think it's entirely appropriate that you would pay water, since it wasn't specifically mentioned and your electricity is already included in your rent. I always had to pay water and electricity when we rented a house.

By Angellew on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 10:17 am:

I really don't see anything strange about it either. Especially where it's a house. The only time I haven't paid water was when renting apartments. Water was always included in the rent and electricity, generally, wasn't.

But, I'm curious... how long have you been renting there that this was just brought up??

By Paulas on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 10:30 am:

Pam, it is $750 a month PLUS electricity. Our rent doesn't include the electricity. That is extra. In the winter it was about $400/month extra and now it is about $200/month.

We have only been here since February. How often do you normally pay water. That's what I thought...water should be included in the rent and electricity extra.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 10:55 am:

We pay for water on a quarterly basis, so just 4 times a year.

By Tarable on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 11:03 am:

We pay a water bill every month here.. And I have never rented a house where either water or electricity was paid but you live pretty far from me...

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 11:10 am:

We pay a water bill monthly. It runs $100 a month here!

By Colette on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 12:44 pm:

I am a landlord and I charge my tenants for all utilities - including water, but it's specified in the lease. Did sign any kind of lease or rental agreement? It should all be laid out in that.

We pay for water/sewerage quarterly as well and for a family of 5 it runs about $300.00 per quarter.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 01:20 pm:

DH says we pay about $95/quarter, for our water/sewer/fire protection.

By Debbie on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 03:54 pm:

We pay our water, garbage, and electric all on one bill. It is billed monthly.

I would be upset because this was never mentioned before. But, I have always paid all utilites including water when I rented.

I would probably just pay the $50.00. Like you said, you are moving now, so why make a big deal out of it. Especially, if you have a big deposit you are hoping to get back.

By Tayjar on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 04:00 pm:

We pay $15 a month for water and $34 every quarter for garbage.

I'd pay it. Like Debbie said, if not, he could take it out of your deposit.

By Karen~admin on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 06:47 pm:

We pay for water/sewage/trash collection monthly. Our water bills are HIGH here - normally ours runs around $70 a month.

Many years ago, when I was still renting, many apartments/home rents included water but you had to pay your electricity. In fact, apartments in complexes almost always included water in the rent.

However, some places don't. If it's just $50, I would just pay it and let it be done with.

By Brooke327 on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 09:02 pm:

I say $50 isn't a big deal either. BUT it should have been mentioned before hand. I have rented several places over the years and NEVER paid for water. I do know people who have lease agreements that make them responsible for paying for the water. But if it wasn't mentioned, or in your lease, I don't feel you should have to pay it. As for your damage deposit..just as it states damage. If there isn't any than there should be no need for him to keep that deposit. Good luck let us know how you make out.

By Dramamamma on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 10:13 pm:

It SHOULD have been stated in the lease exactly what you are responsible BUT I would just pay it for the sake of the deposit. A few years back when I worked for apartment complex we paid water but now the tenants pay it themselves along with electricity. Just a change in times... I rent a house but was responsible for setting up my own water, electricity, and gas.

By Paulas on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 09:50 am:

Thanks ladies. I probably will just pay it. We didn't sign a lease agreement so there was no mention of it. I know, we should have insisted things be a bit more formal but we have been renting on a month-by-month basis. The house is for sale so we could have been asked to move at a months notice. It's all water under the bridge now but if I ever rent again I will ask those things.

By Colette on Thursday, July 10, 2008 - 10:31 am:

I thought about this some, and I think the landlord probably paid the first one because it was a partial bill. I paid one in April and our tenants moved in in May. I just got the first one since they've moved in and I am paying it (50) because it goes from March to June.

hope you don't have to rent again!

By Missbookworm on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 11:59 am:

Paula:

If you guys ever rent again please get in touch with me. I work for an association that addresses things landlords should discuss with their tenants up front and include in a rental agreement. I may also be able to assist you with finding a simple tenancy agreement online that is free to download depending where you are renting. There are certain rules landlords have to follow and rules for tenants too! No matter whether you are renting for a fixed term or month to month an agreement should be signed to protect you and the landlord. Imagine if they had tried to bill you hundreds or thousands of dollars...