Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
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.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist