With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Drought: LA landlords lobby to pass on water bills to tenants. Should they?
Listen
• 0:56
A running faucet sends about two gallons of water down the drain every minute.
(
R/DV/RS via Flickr Creative Commons
)
Landlords are lobbying officials in Los Angeles to be allowed to go around rent control and make tenants pay for water use - which they said will improve conservation efforts.
The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, a local group that represents landlords, is lobbying Mayor Eric Garcetti to back a proposal that calls for renters in rent-controlled buildings to collectively pay their building's monthly water bill, in exchange for slightly-reduced rents. The city estimates that about 60 percent of tenants do not currently pay for their own water.
"There are many leases out there that say water is included," says Jim Clarke, executive vice president of the Apartment Association of Greater L.A. "We want to find some way for [renters] to be incentivized to conserve water."
Landlords of buildings protected by L.A.'s rent-stabilization ordinance can't change the terms of leases that are in effect by doing things like shifting over responsibility for paying for water usage. They can only do that when new tenants move in.
Support for LAist comes from
Poll: Should landlords pass water bills on to tenants?
Earl Vaughn pays the water in the six rental properties he owns in Southern California. At one of his properties, 7-unit building in Echo Park, the annual water bill totals nearly $5000, exceeding its annual property tax bill.
He said despite all the media coverage on the drought, his tenants have not cut usage in the past year.
"It's human nature that when you don't pay for something, you're not as conscious of its usage," Vaughn said. "When the Governor goes around the state saying, 'We need to cut back on water,' how can I possibly do that in my building? I'm going to get penalized for something I can't control."
He said he doesn't want to be "the water police" to his tenants.
If the plan is approved, tenants in rent-stabilized apartments could start receiving water bills in as little as six months, Clarke said.
Apartments that are not rent-stabilized would be unaffected; landlords can currently shift the water bills to tenants if they choose.
Support for LAist comes from
The city would not install water meters for each tenant. Rather, the proposal calls for tenants to share the cost of the building's main water bill. A third-party would be appointed to determine a formula to decide how much each unit should pay - for instance, based on the size of the unit.
Larry Gross of the Coalition for Economic Survival, which fights for tenants' rights, said the plan could cause water wars within buildings if individual meters are not installed.
"If we're going to pass on water to tenants," he says, "then it should be based on actual use of tenants and not some type of formula."
Gross agrees, however, that all tenants need to be more aware of the water they use and to conserve.
"I think that's what's lacking is education," he said.
What do you think?
KPCC's online polls are not scientific surveys of local or national opinion. Rather, they are designed as a way for our audience members to engage with each other and share their views. Let us know what you think on our Facebook page, facebook.com/kpcc, or in the comments below.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist