water bill doubled in 3 months - been here 23 years

Disclaimer: The question below was submitted by a reader. Names have been anonymized. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Individual circumstances vary, and readers should contact their service provider directly or consult a qualified professional for advice specific to their situation.

Diana, California May 26, 2023

My landlord just started charging each tenant for water trash and sewer. I received from them three bills from the landlord , first water bill was 50.00 next month 55.00 third month 61.00. Thus month want 115.00 from me I am elderly do not use much water at all and there's family's with four people and dogs here . Their bills are less than mine. What can I do I am on fixed income and barley makes the rent . Been renting here 23 yrs. we all do not have our own meters they are just charging what the what . What can I do .?

ConnectCalifornia followed up with Diana requesting more information

ConnectCalifornia Expert May 26, 2023

Hi Diana, I'm sorry you're dealing with this - going from $50 to $115 in a few months is a huge jump, especially on a fixed income. To help me understand what's happening, can you tell me: did anything change in your lease recently that mentioned water charges? And when you say families with four people pay less than you, do you know roughly what they're being charged? Have you asked the landlord to explain why your bill specifically keeps going up?

Diana, California May 27, 2023

nothing changed in my lease they just started doing this a few months ago. my neighbor with 3 kids told me shes paying $85. i asked the office why mine is so high and they just said thats what the system calculated. what system?? we dont have meters. ive been a good tenant 23 years never late on rent and now this

ConnectCalifornia Expert May 28, 2023

Going from $50 to $115 in a few months with no explanation - while families with four people pay less than you do alone - something’s wrong with this picture. That’s not a rate increase. That’s either a billing error or a system that’s broken.

You’ve been there 23 years. You know what’s normal for this building. So start documenting: write down that you’ve been charged $50, then $55, then $61, then $115. Ask your neighbors (casually is fine) what they’re paying. Get it in writing if you can.

Then ask the landlord, in writing, to explain how your charge is calculated and to show you the actual water bills for the building. You have a right to understand what you’re paying for. “Just started charging” after two decades of renting there deserves an explanation.

If you don’t get a straight answer, there are people who can help. Many California cities have Rent Stabilization offices that handle exactly this kind of dispute. Legal Aid societies often give free consultations to seniors. Your local Area Agency on Aging can point you toward tenant assistance programs too. You shouldn’t have to navigate this alone on a fixed income.

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