responsibility of remaining family members

[duncantls]

What is the name of your state? Missouri

When your parents are both deceased, can the city make the remaining family members responsible for unpaid utility bills?

We have a water bill that is being disputed because of the high dollar amount when the house was vacant for the previous two months (mother in nursing home and passed away there on 5-10-03). The city says, someone used the water and you have to pay.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated. It is not a matter of the money involved, it just doesn't appear legitimate.

 

[hexeliebe]

they might have a claim against the estate. Remember, the bill goes with the house, not the people who own it.

 

[ShyCat]

Better check that water meter. Is it registering water flow even when no one is home? If so, you may have an underground leak in the water main from the meter to the house. Voice of experience here: $1700 water bill and $900 repair bill and one ugly trench to re-sod for an empty house being refurbished for rental... ouch.

Another unpleasant possibility to consider -- a neighbor tapping into an outside faucet to wash their cars, water the lawn, fill the pool, etc.

 

[duncantls]

Thanks for the responses.

The water meter was checked by the water department and according to them, they found nothing wrong. The water department made the point about neighbors possibly using the outside water hook-up. Sorry, there isn't one.

I am disgruntled because as a citizen, you have to accept what the water department says. I would imagine that everyone has been wrong at least once in their life. It could just be their attitudes that makes me upset.

Once again, thanks for the help!!!!!

 

[hexeliebe]

remember, water bills are an approximation between having the meter read. Just because you have a small bill one time doesn't mean it won't be very large the next. In this case just get the bill paid and get on with things.

It's not worth the effort.

 

[Dandy Don]

Ask them to check their billing records to at least determine the names of previous account owners that have had service at that exact address. Naturally if it is a family member's overdue bill, the water company expects you to recover that money from the family member, probably by your filing a small claims suit--but all the water company really cares about is that the bill is paid--they don't care who they get the money from.

If they can't give you the name, then I would be a bit suspicious about paying this, and there might be a utility bill auditor in your area that could dig out more information about this matter for you. How much is the overdue amount?

 

[duncantls]

FYI, the home was built over 30 years ago by my parents and they are the only people who have lived in the home. The bill has been paid every month and averages between $25 and $30 per month. The $85 dollars is for one month of service in a house that had noone residing there. It is not a past due bill. My wife and I have been paying my mothers bills since last August when my father passed away. It has always been paid on time and in full each month.

As I stated earlier this is not a ? of money. How many other people get caught in this problem? I am an advocate for the elderly and disabled and if this can happen with my mother then it can happen to several other people. The person(s) involved should have a right to question a questionable utility charge not just be told, "that's city policy!"

Anyway, I will resolve the matter. Thanks again for the comments!