landlord rip off

Landlord want tenants to pay water bills when it is not stated in they contracts, or they do not have a water meter in the apartment complex.

[OHlandlord]

If you don't have a private water meter, or submeters, and there is no provison within your *current* lease, the LL cannot require you to pay for the water bills. However, if your lease has expired or you are currently a month to month tenant, the LL can give you appropriate notice to *change* the terms of your agreement for the next month. If you fall under the second case here (MTM or expired lease), the LL can change your agreement to make you responsible for water if you have a seperate meter, he submeters and bills each tenant, or he has each of you pay according to some shared plan that is legal for your state.

In some states, shared water paying plans must adhere to specific rules. For instance, in some places he cannot charge a fee per person because it doesn't allow for water conservation by any one family. It is perfectly legal in other states. He can also just increase everyone's rent by a set amount to make up for the water bill as long as he stays within the state guideline (if any) for rent increases.