Saint Petersburg, FL asked in Landlord - Tenant for Florida

Q: How should we proceed with a landlord who we has been charging us for water and trash removal for both units on our lot?

We rent a house that is situated at the front of a lot with a separate apartment unit in the back (a converted garage). Tenant who was living in the back unit recently vacated. When Landlord (LL) listed the back unit for rent last week, we were shocked to discover LL was advertising free water & trash removal for the back unit. Per terms of our lease, we were required to put the account for water & trash removal in our name and wouldn't have keys without doing so. We confirmed with our municipality and LL that the front and back units both run off the same water meter, so all water usage on the lot is on one bill in our name. LL is now making false representations, claiming a mistake was made - that water & trash removal at this property has (in previous tenancies) always been in LL's name with LL arbitrarily charging each unit on a monthly basis -- 2/3 of bill to front unit and 1/3 to back unit. Previous tenant of back unit refutes LL. Says water & trash were included in his rent.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Barry W. Kaufman
Barry W. Kaufman
Answered
  • Jacksonville, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: As in every landlord -tenant dispute, the written lease controls and nobody online can read your lease. You can retain an attorney to determine your best course of action.

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