This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Drought: LA mayor won't agree to tenants paying for water without meters
Maywood resident Robert Taylor fills a bottle with tap water in his home on Sept. 26.
(
Maya Sugarman/KPCC
)
Listen
0:49
Drought: LA mayor won't agree to tenants paying for water without meters
Landlords in Los Angeles want tenants in rent-stabilized units to share the cost of their building's water bill. But Mayor Eric Garcetti says he only supports tenants paying for their water usage if they have their own water meters.
"I've been supportive of individual meters so individuals could track their own use," Garcetti said.
As KPCC reported, the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles is lobbying the city to allow landlords to change the lease terms for renters currently covered by L.A.'s rent stabilization ordinance. In exchange for tenants paying for water usage, landlords would agree to reduce rent. Currently, landlords can only change those terms with a new lease, and the majority of renters in L.A. don't currently pay for water.
The landlords' plan does not call for individual meters. Rather, residents would collectively pay the building's water bill. A third-party group would create a formula to determine how the bill would be split, so that larger units, and/or units with more occupants, paid more.
Councilman Mike Bonin questioned whether using formulations like that would be fair.
"The only way to do it is with individual meters," he said, echoing Garcetti. "As a drought-fighting tool, you need to have the use tied directly to the cost.
But installing thousands of water meters in L.A.'s apartment buildings would be a costly endeavor. The LA Department of Water and Power says one meter on a ground floor apartment can cost approximately $2,000. It gets progressively more expensive the higher you go, and does not include labor costs.
Sponsored message
Jim Clarke of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles claims that some landlords have been quoted upwards of $10,000 by the LADWP to purchase and install a metering unit.
Garcetti said that some action needs to take place so renters assume their share of water conservation.
"I agree with the landlords, right now: there's unaccountability," he says, "You can let the faucet run, and somebody else pays for it."
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
