Can a California landlord make the tenant pay the water sewer garbage bill?

Question

My landlord had me pay the city water sewer garbage bill every month. I moved out of my rental home and she wants me to pay for the month I moved out. The bill has always been in her name (the city can't change to a tenant) and I don't think I'm responsible for that. She wants to deduct it from the deposit. Any help?

Answer 1

If it's part of your rental agreement, then you need to pay for it.  If you don't pay for it, she can deduct it from your deposit, whether or not the account is in your name.

Answer 2

It would all depend  what was on your LEASE when you moved in .....

IF you agreed to pay the sewage bill , even though it was in her name .... then; YOU are still obligated to do so ....

IF you gave the landlady proper notice that you were moving out (30-Days) then she cannot charge you the one month that you moved out .....

Most tenants don't realize .. That to PROTECT themselves from such things that EVERY detail of your living in a rental needs to be in WRITTING and when you mail / send anything to the landlord, send it by Certified mail , return receipt requested so they have to sign for it ..... that will be Proof that you sent it ..... Also; ALWAYS keep a copy of everything that you send to the landlord with the date you wrote it and the date sent .. when the return receipt comes back , staple it to the document so they are all together IF you should need them ...

Answer 3

If the rental was a single family home and the services were used solely by you, then, yes, the landlord can make you pay it.

Since you paid it every month that you lived there, obviously you agreed to do so.

The bills for these type of services generally stay in the landlrd's name since non-payment could lead to a lien on the property. This way the landlord knows that the bills are getting paid and can take action if you fail to pay. As long as you are only being charged for your usage, it's legal.

If you did not pay the bills for your final month, the landlord can legally deduct those costs from your deposit.