My landlords are assholes

[Not_Giving_Up]

Yesterday, I heard this noise outside, sounded like somebody was taking the trailer apart. I look outside and see two guys, and they have removed the lattice from one section of my trailer. (The lattice is what they use for skirting.)

I called the office and said "Would it be possible that something is being done to my house that I don't know about?" The manager replies "Oh, they're probably installing the water meter." I asked if we were being switched to city water (we're currently on a well). She says no, then asks "Didn't you get the notice?" Nope, sure didn't. (They slide newsletters into the mailboxes evry month..no postage. I can't figure out why the postman hasn't nailed them for this.

She claims that they put notices in everyone's mailbox two weeks ago that effective November 1, they will be charging for water. The park manager will be reading the meters. They're going to read the first month, but not charge people, so that we can see how much water we use.

I called a friend (liberallady here on DU) who also lives in the park and asked if she got the notice. Nope, she didn't know anything about it either. So, I'm thinking that they didn't notify anyone, and figure that once the meters are on, tough shit.

I picked up barely readable copies of the papers from the office. Every copy machine was running out of toner. They claim to have spent $150,000.00 in the last few years upgrading the system here in the park, and they have been absorbing the cost, but cannot continue to do so. One of the papers was what they had to send to the state to show that they notified residents. It says "Date mailed 9/8/05" on it. They didn't mail them. If they did anything, they illegally plaed them in our mailboxes.

Oh, and our water bills? They will taped to our front doors every month after the meter is read. Hope it doesn't rain that day!

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. That totally sucks!

Could be that they have violated the rental contracts. If you rented with paid water, then that is part of your total rent payment. Check with your local town/city/county/state re: landlord-tenant laws. Could be that your landlords went about this in the wrong way, and that they would have to give a 30 day written notice (and some states require Certified Return mail to prove they notified you)of rent increase, but cannot arbitrarily change the rules and make you start paying a water bill.

[Not_Giving_Up]

2. The lease I signed says water is included

I guess they think that they're covered because of the memo that no one seemed to get.

The best part - no where in writing does it say what we will be charged. I was given a copy of the rates for a nearby city, and they are going to charge the same rate. Wish I had the same quality water.

I plan to look into this, they have a habit of trying to circumvent the system.

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. No matter what they think

they are breaking the terms of the lease. If you have a free legal aid in your area, contact them.

[Not_Giving_Up]

4. Yep...I know

I plan to do quite a bit of fact finding over the weekend. I'm going to attempt to find out if ANYONE got the notice. Can't just be me and liberallady that didn't get the notice.

[radwriter0555]

5. That's correct. They made a contract to provide you with free water; it

doesn't say "water paid for until we go on the City water system". It says something like that you are not responsible for the water bill. They cannot force you to pay this. That said, SEEK LEGAL AID immediately. Get your lease, make copies of it, keep it handy, etc.

They cannot change the terms of the contract unless you agree to change the terms also.

You don't need to make a big issue out of it, they have no legal standing unless there is something in your contract that states otherwise... so you may as well find out precisely what your rights are, and you DO have them, as does everyone else in the park -- you could organize; but until you terminate your lease, or agree to the new terms, they can't enforce it.

That said, do not under any circumstances pay a water bill at all, unless advised to do so by an attorney in your state who has reviewed the case. Paying it implies consent and you could then be obligated for all future water bills.

This really is a no-brainer, but what a pain in the ass; you have my sympathies and best wishes.

[Not_Giving_Up]

6. The best part - it's not even city water

It's pretty crappy well water. I run it through a purifier before my kids OR cats drink it. It's hard water, and it smells of chlorine.

I'm going to make some calls today to find out the legal issues.

Edited because brains and fingers are not communicating properly.