Some residents of the mobile home park say they’ve been paying their landlord for water bills, and that those payments have skyrocketed. According to the news report, the landlord had been texting amounts to residents, and did not provide any official water bills. One resident said the most he had paid the landlord for a water bill was $840, and other residents said they had paid similar high prices, with no discernible reason for the increase.
The mobile home park's residents, many of whom are low-income individuals and people with disabilities, have been significantly affected by the escalating water bills. These financial burdens have created substantial hardship for this vulnerable community.
Town says it has no choice but to cut off water
The mayor says the town had a meeting with Woodbridge in April, after Black River residents alerted the town that they hadn’t had water for up to eight weeks, after a sewage line broke.
The town says it cannot pay the outstanding water bill and has no choice but to cut off water for the residents.
According to another local news report, from Live 5 WCSC, the town is encouraging residents to file a breach of trust report with the Williamsburg County Sheriff’s Office. Residents may also be able to file claims under the South Carolina Residential Landlord Tenant Act. The Act states that landlords must maintain premises, make running water available and follow building and housing codes that affect health and safety. It also says that if a landlord fails to provide essential services, tenants may be able to recover damages and attorney’s fees.
What can tenants do to fight back?
If your landlord has failed to maintain your unit or provide essential services, such as sanitary plumbing, electricity, gas, running water and heat, there are actions you can take to protect yourself and your home.
In most jurisdictions, residential leases include an implied warranty of habitability — meaning landlords must comply with local housing codes.
Keeping records is the best way to protect yourself if you are dealing with an issue with your landlord. Inform your landlord in writing of any issues as soon as they arise, and keep copies of any notices or letters you send or receive. Document any phone calls or in-person discussions, including dates, times and matters discussed. If you are documenting phone calls, be sure it’s legal to record them in your state.
If you don’t pay your utilities directly, and your landlord collects payments from you, be sure that you request copies of the utility bills. Also, be sure to ask your landlord to provide receipts upon payment.
If, like the residents of Black River Mobile Home Park, you have reason to believe your landlord is not paying utility bills that you have submitted payment for, contact local law enforcement, and also seek help from local legal aid clinics or tenants’ rights groups.
Rebecca Payne has more than a decade of experience editing and producing both local and national daily newspapers. She's worked on the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, Metro, Canada's National Observer, the Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press.
