Payment of Utilities required

[lowens1975]

Florida. I've rented an apartment for the past three years and just gave a timely notice to move. I found a note on my door stating as much, but also included was a statement that my deposit would be withheld until my city utility (Water/Sewer/Garbage) was paid. Except here's the problem: The apartment manager is on the the city Water Board, but that has nothing to do with the apartments I live in. And I have been resposible for paying for the Water/Sewer/Garbage and made payments out to and mailed directly to the Water Board, not the apartments I live in.

I think the apartment manager is overstepping her boundries.

 

[Zigner]

If you don't pay, then the amount will attach to the unit. It is definitely the LL's business

 

[lowens1975]

If you don't pay, then the amount will attach to the unit. It is definitely the LL's business

It say's "City Utilities". I also have power and cable, neither of which is considered 'city utilities'? By the way, they have been paid and will be paid. The issue with me is that she's trying to attach my deposit to a city utility. If I don't pay, the city will come after me, not her or the apartment.

 

[sandyclaus]

It say's "City Utilities". I also have power and cable, neither of which is considered 'city utilities'? By the way, they have been paid and will be paid. The issue with me is that she's trying to attach my deposit to a city utility. If I don't pay, the city will come after me, not her or the apartment.

No, if you don't pay, the city may well come after HER to pay, since the city utilities are inextricably tied to the property.

It's fairly common for a deposit to be withheld to cover the utility bills covering the rental unit incurred during the tenancy but invoiced after the tenant vacates. It's unfortunately fairly common for a tenant to skip on those last utility bills because they figure that they can't be charged if they no longer live there, and can't be tracked down if they don't provide a forwarding address.

Simply provide the LL with proof that the bills have been paid, and they will have no reason to withhold the costs from your deposit. Problem solved.

And apparently, this ONLY applies to the city utilities, and of course should have no bearing on any outstanding bills from things like cable that you may leave unpaid.

 

[FarmerJ]

How long does it take you to get a bill sent to you ? have you contacted this util to set up a final reading? about what part of the month does this bill come and how many days do you get to pay it? I get it that with a city owned utility they do not want a tenants bill to be left for the landlord. But where Im going with this is that Id like to see what a judge would say if a landlord took city util charges out of a deposit before they were actually harmed ?