Landlord failed to keep up with the waterbill in Duplex.

[OutbreakSE]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio.

My Water was shut off yesterday. I've paid rent on time for the past year.

The apartment downstairs isn't deemed livable, the LL has a agreement with the downstairs tenant that if he does repairs (bathroom, kitchen) he would go without paying rent during the repairs. He's been living there for 2 months. The water bill is 514.93 + reconnect fee. With 3-4 months of missed payments and late fees. I contacted the LL and he/she told us we have to come up with the full balance. What legal steps can we take to have our water reconnected ASAP. The city says its between me and the LL. The LL wants to put the full bill on me.

I don't have access to the water bill account to check the history of the bill and never received any notices about cancellation.

 

[Just Blue]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Ohio.

My Water was shut off yesterday. I've paid rent on time for the past year.

The apartment downstairs isn't deemed livable, the LL has a agreement with the downstairs tenant that if he does repairs (bathroom, kitchen) he would go without paying rent during the repairs. He's been living there for 2 months. The water bill is 514.93 + reconnect fee. With 3-4 months of missed payments and late fees. I contacted the LL and he/she told us we have to come up with the full balance. What legal steps can we take to have our water reconnected ASAP. The city says its between me and the LL. The LL wants to put the full bill on me.

I don't have access to the water bill account to check the history of the bill and never received any notices about cancellation.

Sorry...Who is responcible for the water bill? You or the LL?

 

[OutbreakSE]

Sorry...Who is responcible for the water bill? You or the LL?

The landlord.

 

[Silverplum]

Start with the info here: https://www.ohiobar.org/forpublic/resources/lawfactspamphlets/pages/lawfactspamphlet-11.aspx

Your landlord is required by law to provide you with running water at all times.

 

[Just Blue]

The landlord.

Then google up Silvers ^ link.

 

[OutbreakSE]

Then google up Silvers ^ link.

I did. So I'll contact the free legal Aid, and see what steps are.

 

[FarmerJ]

In some cities they will allow a tenant to pay off the landlords bill but if your going to do this then make sure you get a copy of the disconnection notice and since its multi unit the one the city posted on the building should work. If you pay it you must get a receipt and then make a copy and send it with the difference of your rent due ( I would send it via mail tracking) and should your LL attempt to take you to court make sure you go to court with your receipt from water dept and a copy of the shut off notice , If you do not want to bother with that at all then the more direct route is to call your city / county building inspections desk and report the lack of water and let them condemn the entire structure ( yes you would have to move sooner than you may want to but not having running water is a livability issue)