--73.79.xx.xxx

If they don't pay, take it from the deposit. --75.7.xx.xx

I would also send a reminder letter to other tenants-- noting their respocibility to the lease and property. --99.103.xxx.xxx

Ya get to pick up where Mom and Dad left off. --199.192.xxx.xxx

This bill is yours... downside of owning a multi unit with out the utilities separated out. Be looking at sub meter the water soon as you can. Might cost 2k with the meters, but if you had the meters... here is your bill. --76.77.xxx.xxx

TOILET! Both times. --98.11.xxx.xxx

Toilets will get you every time. Discourage tenants from using those in tank bowl cleaners. They usually contain bleach, which degrades the rubber parts and causes leaks. --70.16.xxx.xxx

--108.4.xxx.xxx

Wish you could see when I send a 320.00 bill for emptying out a septic tank over flowing due to toilet running. --99.103.xxx.xxx

There are companies that bill tenants for utilities. One in my area only charges $10. a month per unit. --66.74.xx.xxx

1 toilet leaking can run me $25-$50 per month. Since I get billed every two months -- that comes to $50 go $100 every billing cycle. Since I have dozens of toilets in larger buildings, I could loose in water and sewer charges thousands of dollars every month... --47.155.xx.xxx

I have a clause in my lease that says Tenant is responsible for excessive or unreasonable use of utilities paid for by landlord. Would that help? --73.79.xx.xxx

Dear Robert, My water meter is in a enclosed pit in the back yard with a foot of snow on it. --73.79.xx.xxx

--107.216.xxx.xxx

We put a clause in our lease' "Tenant responsible for first $100 of repairs ". We have not charged the tenant in the past. Its It's really there is case of a situation where they were negligent. New lease for new tenant says, " tenant will pay if negligent " --174.251.xx.xxx

Good discussion. All our SFH units have utilities as tenant's responsibility. However, I've added yet another lease clause about liability if they do not notify us if they hear unusual noises, smell unusual odors, or notice abnormal operation of items. --99.92.xxx.xxx

Check out the flappers in the other units. --24.101.xxx.xx

Consider installing Niagara Flapper Less toilets which use a bucket that tilts where there is no flapper. A one time cost where over time will get money back then some. Tenants do not care about a running toilet where have had good results with Niagara Flapper Less toilets. View some videos on You Tube about Niagara Flapper Less toilets. --99.236.xxx.xxx

Or I'd install a flow meter in the water main closer to the structure.. --47.155.xx.xxx

It was not the flapper. I pulled the float from the top and it would not shut off the water. --73.79.xx.xxx

Another option but difficult to set up is install leak sentry fill valve that shut off when the flapper leaks. Difficult to set up where the tank will fill when the lever is depressed if the flapper leaks. Test with siphon hose. --99.236.xxx.xxx

Fluid master 400LS leak sentry fill valve where view videos on You Tube how to install fill valve. The flapper maybe have to be changed out as well. --99.236.xxx.xxx

I had this happen where water usage was really high. Toilet wasn't leaking with dye test. Male tenant took readings from meter every day for 2 weeks, claimed water company was at fault. This went on for a couple of years. I talked to them several times about this. I come to do an unrelated repair and hear the toilet running. Female tenant says" Oh yeah, I just jiggle the handle when that happens" She would spend her days watching t. v. and was oblivious to the connection. I don't think she jiggled the handle very often. --35.132.xxx.xxx

Its now about time to check... --68.119.xxx.xxx

The city where my multi units are located have an online service where I can check daily on water usage AND I can receive a text message when the water is over a specific percentage. It also records usage by the hour so I can see hour by hour. I cannot get it down to the unit but I can tell when there is a leak as opposed to typical usage (washer/shower) because it runs continuously. I do not typically charge for a running toilet. They are tenants for a reason and it does not occur to them to check for a running toilets. Cost of being a LL. --208.38.xxx.xx

This is a booby trap in the landlording business. After the high water bill comes the high sewage bill. You can have your lease say whatever, but in a multi-unit where the owner is paying water, it is your problem. I put in Niagra Conservation toilets (buy online from Homedepot.com) that use 0.8 gallons per flush and I use water saving shower heads from the same company too. They will pay for themselves. This problem reinforces the land lording laws about doing an inspection. I would change all the toilets in that building. They are $150 each and will pay you back many times. Just remember to adjust the flush button rod to correct length when installing them or they will run even when new. There is a rod under the button and it should have an eighth of an inch free play before engaging the flush mechanism. --76.125.xxx.xxx

My 2 cents......worth trying to get them to pay up, but very much doubt if they contest it you’d win. Send them a bill see what happens, worst case they ignore it. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” - Wayne Gretzky --173.48.xxx.xxx