Can an apartment complex charge each tenant different for water that isn't metered at individual units?

Question

The water meter is on the incoming water line to the complex and not on each unit of the complex. Just curious how they can charge me for water useage and not know how much I am using and it vary month to month.

Answer 1

They don't know . They are charging by the square foot. Big apartments pay more. /

Answer 2

They are charging you the rate stated in your lease. Probably based on head count or number of water faucets. If you don't like the terms simply don't sign the lease.

Answer 3

It is called allocated water and there are several factors that go into the  cost. How many Tenants? How much square footage? By the way, the complex can only allocate out 70-75 percent of the total bill to allow for common areas...Laundry, Sprinklers. It will always vary as the total amount of the main bill varies. It is important to always report water leaks so the whole community is paying as low a price as possible. I check for leaks each month :)

Answer 4

They charge based upon square footage and number of occupants.