Landlord charges for water and sewage twice: based on square footage of apartment and per person,

By Helen, IN

I have lived in this apartment complex for the past 13 years. the rules have changed many time for it has been

 re-sold several times.At first the water, sewage and trash were included in rent, and it was resonable. Then the new

owner decided to transfer the water bill to the tenants. We were charged per person based on IN rates, plus management 

fee of $5.00 and trash fee of $4.00. Then last year they decided to change and be more extravagant. They landlord extended

the billing practices to the following: bill for water and sewage not only based on the occupance per apartment, but also per

square footage of the apartment. They still charge management fee of $4.00 and trash $4.00 per month for each apartment.

The property has laundry rooms, Pool, and public showers for the summer after swimming. They allocate almost all to 

the tenants. Should not the landlord pay for something? And what is the standard percentage rate used  for public

use? Can the Landlo  bill for water and sewage based on the square footage of the apartment in addition to

the allocation of $/gal and % per tenant?  The water bill in my apartment is as high as in a private house with 3 people.

My bill 2 month ago for water and sewage and trash  was $75 , now after fighting it went down to $35-40. 

I don't use dishwasher, I don't have hot tub or washing mashing, don't take baths for I am 85y.o. widow., I take

only short showers due to my heart  condition. Use laundry room 2/month.  They will be filling up the pool and I can only

imagine what my water bill will be next month. 

Where can I find regulation pertaining to this? I tried to review the regulations on RUBS, but it doesn't talk about the 

footage, only total bill divided by number of tenants. 

Thank you very much for any help and advice you can give to an old teacher. 

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Holy Cow, we couldn't find any other related post. Sorry. :(