Tenants Face Eviction Due To Landlords' Failure To Pay Water Bill

In Ocala, Florida, the Ocala Star-Banner reports:

• The threat of dry water taps is nothing new to the residents of Busbee Quarters, but if Ocala Electric Utility doesn't receive a large check soon, those who haven't moved out will soon be sent packing. The city sent a final letter to both tenants and property owners on Friday, telling them that water flowing to the apartments will be cut off if an outstanding water bill for more than $7,600 is not paid by Sept. 24. City ordinances require occupied homes to have running water to prevent unsanitary conditions.

Collection is problematic because two outdated master water meters serve all 60-plus units, which means that residents cannot be billed individually for water consumption. Complicating the matter further is that the rented units are all individually owned, so that if the city forces the tenants to leave, the rental income to the individual owners will stop and leave them vulnerable to possible foreclosure.

In addition, there apparently is no homeowner association to handle the payment of the buildings' common expenses on behalf of the owners. The water service is in the name of just one of the owners, an investment company. The company has been paying the entire bill for all the unit owners, then receives reimbursement from the other owners for their share of the water bill. Reportedly, the investment company claims it has fallen behind on the water bill owed to the local utility because it has been getting stiffed by some of the other unit owners for their share of the water bill.

For the rest of the story, see Tenants at risk of losing water, homes (Busbee Quarters again behind on utility bill).