What would you do if you learned that the water company shut off service to your building because your landlord stopped paying the bills? If you've been paying your rent in full and on time, you deserve better than to have your landlord's financial woes make your apartment living unbearable.
When a tenant at a property in Syracuse, New York found himself in this situation, he came up with an idea: use some of his rent money to pay the landlord's water bill and get the water flowing again. But the water company refused to accept the payment, according to The Post-Standard, telling the frustrated tenant that only the property owner may satisfy the bill.
This incident has reportedly prompted the city to consider passing a law that would, among other things, let tenants use some of their rent to pay a deadbeat landlord's water bill.
Does this proposed legislation sound like a good idea, or might it open the floodgates to more problems?
Comments
If water is included in my rent payment I would NOT pay for the water under any circumstances.
I would think that the Board of Health or some other legal entity would make this “slum” landlord pay up!
I would put my rent in escrow until I had water again and complain to the proper authorities.
Of course meanwhile, you have no water…so you do have rights so COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN until you are heard!!!