Landlord from hell!!! I just needed to vent...?

Sounds like, if the water heater is leaking so much and running all the time then it would be in the Landlords best interest to repair it rather than have it prematurely fail.

If she is dragging her feet on this, I would take her to small claims court. It is her responsibility to leave the place in inhabitable condition. I'm no expert. So I don't know if a leaky water heater would cause a $200 surge in the power bill. The heat may have contributed some to it. Maybe you can negotiate with the landlord and have her pay a lower percentage of the bill you proposed. The power bill is in her name. So if it doesn't get paid by her, your credit's not at steak. Read your lease and see what it says. Consult with a lawyer for legal advice. I think thre is something called constructive eviction in which you can legally get out of a lease if you have a slack landlord like you appear to have. Document everything just in case it goes to court.

If you were in the UK you would be able to take this to the Citizens advice for information on how to get this resolved....as you don't then I think you had better get legal advice. Although you have come across as being very reasonable here you have made a mistakes in my mind. By offering to split the bill you are actually admitting that you are responsible for HALF of that bill when you go on to say you couldn't have possibly used that amount! In a court I think that is called an 'admittance' of guilt??

Anyways. I think if it were me I would firstly, write it all down. Secondly write a letter to her outlining the facts but do NOT admit liability here!! Word it so that if you took it to court it would in no way sound like you have accepted the costs. Get a friend or solicitor to help you word it if you can. I would then send this to her with the wording that you have been seeking legal advice. Then I would wait and see what she says. I would also be on the look out for a new place to stay as it may get nasty!!!

Is there anyway you can get a plumber or 'the plumber' to assess the drip/leak and write down his opinion of whether he thinks you could have possibly used that much water? Gathering all the evidence and statements you can will help. I don't think you will ever be on the same terms with the landlady again so you may as well do a good job of holding onto your money!!

Is it in an apartment? if so then speak to the other members and ask if the water damage is affecting their property. If it is a house then she must have insureance to cover maintenance and repairs so she wont be out of pocket. Is it managed by a letting agency....talk to them as well. Get the water board to come and see the leak and give their opinion as to whether or not the leak would mount up to that amount......

In a nutshell fight it hon! Don't just lay down, roll over and say where do you want me to play dead!!

It is her responsibility to make the property habitable. Your obligations should be written out on your contract as well as hers. Check the fine print and if she refuses to pay be prepared to take it to court! Good luck!!!!!!

P.S. Not knowing what state you live in I couldn't narrow information down for you but if you put in the search field 'tenant rights' plus the state you live in and then do a search for 'landlord responsibilities' plus your state you shyould be able to find out about what legal requirements you both have. I found one set of information that may be of use but it was in Chicago......see the link below.....it will give you an idea of what types of responsibilities and legal rights you have in your own state but you will NEED to check your own ones!!

You know, we have a similar problem with our gas heat, but cannot pin-point it, as well as the water. The water bill is $300 & some, and our heat is $1200! The water is in their name and the heat in our's. Long story short - we will be contacting a local agency to help w/ the heat bill, and since the water is in their name, we won't do squat! Since the landlord has no proof it was your fault only, she/he can't do ANYthing about it. So, enjoy life. We are!

I don't understand how using more electricity (or gas depending on heating system) would increase your water bill. This is all covered in the lease. I'm sure not paying a bill is not going to help the situation in any way.

Some of these landlords are unbelievable. Maybe you can call the electric Company and have them check the meter, and if you have a complaint dept in your state or town. you could find out what you can do. This is her obligation, If yo have a lease, read it, maybe it will say something in it. then take a deep breathe and pour yourself a glass of wine and sit down and relax.(lol)

I wouldn't worry about it. The bill is in her name. She is just making herself look bad. I do hope you feel better, if this keeps up, find a new place to live. I have had crap landlords before.

What ever you do get everything in writing to protect yourself. Keep any written correspondence for at least 6 months after you move out.

He is, yes. Mine was. If it's bad for your health, tell him you will move out. You have too eventually if he doesn't fix it.

I don't see how a leak is responsible, either.