回复：Help: renter did not pay utility, which under their name, do

The following answers are based on the conditions in CA.

Q: DO i need to pay even the service was not under my name. I checked phone company, cable company, they all said i do not need to pay (it is obvious that the renter did not pay any bill for the period lived in my house).

A: California requires the landlord to pay the water & sewer and garbage if the tenant does not pay in full amount during the grace period.


Q: If it is legal owner’s responsibility to pay for the water and sewer service when the renter does not pay for the service, should the company keep the me informed when the renter did not pay for the service. their standard policy quoted following, they should take actions 45 days after not receiving the payment, but they informed me half year after the renter moved out.
.....Whenever a bill for use of County Water Supply and Distribution or Wastewater service remain unpaid for 45 days after it has been rendered, the Director may file with the County Recorder of Deeds a statement of Lien claim.........

A: That does not matter they took action on or after 45 days from the nonpayment date.

Q: I do not want to pay for this, now they filed my file to County Attorney office. i heard that unpaid utility will affect my credit. i am planning to move to a new place and buy a new house, i do not want see this happening.

A: Even though you sell your house and move to another one, you still owe the county the money.


BTW, what you can do now is put a lien on your tenant's record.