Search Forums
I received an urgent notice today in my mailbox, hand-delivered, stating that my account was in arrears for hydro or water and I had to call the Collections Dept. Since I know my hydro is paid up, it must be the water. I called and they told me it was indeed the water, and I need to get in touch with my landlord to avoid having my water cut off. They would not tell me the amount owing or how far behind the account is, only that my unit could be held liable for charges.
The thing is, I've talked to my landlord after receiving these notices in the past and he just said he'd take care of it. What more can I do? I could wake up one morning to take a shower and my water could be cut off! Does anyone have any experience with this?
Why would they send this notice to me if they won't give me details of the account?
-
Apr 26th, 2012 05:11 PM #1
Notice of overdue water: Landlord's Responsibility
LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked Syne for this post.
-
Sponsored Links - Join the RedFlagDeals.com community and remove this ad.
-
Apr 26th, 2012 06:24 PM #2
Apparently your landlord wasn't taking care of it.
_______________
A life spent making mistakes is not only more memorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked sandikosh for this post.
-
Apr 26th, 2012 06:52 PM #3
Right, thanks for that. Anyone who knows something about this care to chime in?
Sorry, no asians or Canada Goose or $100k salaries in this thread. Please try to overlook these flaws and help anyways.LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked Syne for this post.
-
Apr 26th, 2012 07:07 PM #4
You could collect rain water by putting a bucket outside underneath the drainpipe? Then you'll be ready in case your water gets shut off. You can thank me for this advice later.
LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked Dilton for this post.
-
Apr 26th, 2012 07:09 PM #5
Sorry Syne. I think you are so screwed. I don't think your landlord is taking care of it.
How is it that you fear the water will be cut? How is the landlord not fearing the same thing? Unless he lives in another house. If he doesn't live same house as you, I don't think he is taking care of it. Landlord wants collections to come to you, lol!LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked spike1128 for this post.
-
Apr 26th, 2012 07:12 PM #6
[QUOTE=Syne;14647660]I received an urgent notice today in my mailbox, hand-delivered, stating that my account was in arrears for hydro or water and I had to call the Collections Dept. Since I know my hydro is paid up, it must be the water. I called and they told me it was indeed the water, and I need to get in touch with my landlord to avoid having my water cut off. They would not tell me the amount owing or how far behind the account is, only that my unit could be held liable for charges.
The thing is, I've talked to my landlord after receiving these notices in the past and he just said he'd take care of it. What more can I do? I could wake up one morning to take a shower and my water could be cut off! Does anyone have any experience with this?
Why would they send this notice to me if they won't give me details of the account?[/QUOTE]
In Ontario we have the [URL="http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/index.htm"][FONT="Arial"][SIZE="7"][B]Landlord and Tenant Board[/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/URL]. If that is where you live then call them for accurate and correct advice. You may be able to pay and hold that back on rent (usually a no no).
Where you live you may have the same thing.LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked stuntman for this post.
-
Apr 26th, 2012 07:15 PM #7
OK, should I contact the board before my water gets cut off or after?
I'm not even sure if I can pay the bill on his behalf since it's not my account. The person on the phone wouldn't even give me details on the account.LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked Syne for this post.
-
Apr 26th, 2012 07:21 PM #8
Talk to your landlord and tell him/her your concerns immediately. If he/she won't deal with it, hold the rent until this water issue is fixed to your satisfaction. You might want to start fill pails for water just in case.
Wait until the City turns off the water and then hold the rent until the water is turned back on. If nothing happens, start looking for a new place to rent.
DaveLOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked DavidY for this post.
-
Apr 26th, 2012 07:23 PM #9
Contact the board before it gets cut off - in the hopes that something can be done to prevent it. And maybe to reduce your stress. An alderman may also advocate for you with the city to not have it cut off as it is not your fault.
I am sorry you are having this problem.:cry:
P.S. Those are not flaws.LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked ishfish for this post.
-
Apr 26th, 2012 07:26 PM #10
[QUOTE=Syne;14648257]OK, should I contact the board before my water gets cut off or after?
I'm not even sure if I can pay the bill on his behalf since it's not my account. The person on the phone wouldn't even give me details on the account.[/QUOTE]
Let the water company know your concerns and have them record them.
Call the LTB to get informed ASAP. Talk to the landlord too (LTB will advise you to do so I think).
Good luck :)
The alderman thing sounds like a good idea on top of the LTB.LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked stuntman for this post.
-
Apr 26th, 2012 07:45 PM #11Deal Fanatic
- Join Date
- Mar 9th, 2002
- Location
- Oakville
- Posts
- 6,994
[QUOTE=Syne;14648257]OK, should I contact the board before my water gets cut off or after?
I'm not even sure if I can pay the bill on his behalf since it's not my account. The person on the phone wouldn't even give me details on the account.[/QUOTE]
Call them asap for advice. Landlord is responsible for the water payments, if he doesn't pay it, he's literally cutting your water off. He cannot interfere with essential services of heat, electricity and water._______________
Ebay 94-0-0
_______________LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked Hugh Jass for this post.
-
Apr 27th, 2012 08:30 AM #12
well... the thing is that up until now, the essential service of water is still being delivered by the landlord to you. therefore, you cannot hold back rent.
however, as soon as the water is no longer being delivered to you by the landlard, you can hold back rent :)_______________
Mobilicity Blackberry $30/mo @ 12mo-prepay: Unlimited everything
.LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked quickinferno for this post.
-
Apr 27th, 2012 08:48 AM #13
[QUOTE=stuntman;14648244]In Ontario we have the [URL="http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/index.htm"][FONT="Arial"][SIZE="7"][B]Landlord and Tenant Board[/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/URL]. If that is where you live then call them for accurate and correct advice. You may be able to pay and hold that back on rent (usually a no no).
Where you live you may have the same thing.[/QUOTE]
Tip: Try to solve all problems diplomatically before using "law". Keep calling your landlord. I'm sure with enough hassle and the right tone, your landlord will pay the bill. If it still doesn't get paid, you can [U]threaten[/U] to file a case with the tenant board. That usually does the trick as you have very clear evidence. But you probably don't actually need to file a case with the board.LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked BananaHunter for this post.
-
Apr 27th, 2012 01:39 PM #14
I'm not familiar with Ontario laws but I'm guessing they are similar to Quebec laws on the issue.
Send your landlord a registered letter. If the letter is received, this proves that you did your part to contact him about the issue. In the letter, give him a reasonable amount of time, say 1 week, to deal with this issue or you will have to get the rental board involved. If the issue is resolved, great. If not, then file a complaint to the board.
Whatever you do, [B]do not[/B] withhold rent. According to the Ontario Landlord and Tenant Board website, a tenant is not allowed to withhold rent unless given permission by the board. Paying rent shows you fulfilled your obligations as a tenant and any judgment will likely be in your favour. In the case where your water does get cut, this will allow you to file for a rent reduction since you were not given the services promised in your lease or you may be able to break your lease early and leave without penalty. You may also be able to file for expenses incurred due to your loss of water.
A lot of information here:
[url]http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca/en/Key_Information/STEL02_111890.html[/url]LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked Miike for this post.
-
Apr 27th, 2012 02:46 PM #15
A rent [i]reduction?[/i]
You might as well be ripping my roof off in the middle of winter if my water gets shut off. I'd feel justified keeping an entire month back just to teach him a lesson.LOG IN TO THANK No one has yet thanked Syne for this post.
