Our Life

Ask:

Is there a place online to lodge a complaint about the water usage in my apartment complex? We are in a drought in CA and they water the plants like 3 or 4 times a day! Plus the water bill is divided up between all the tenants for the whole property so I think I am paying for it too! Any ideas?

“They” is the apartment complex. We have tried to ask them about it but they won’t give us a straight answer.

Answer:

The answers I’ve just read have many good points such as contacting the city’s water department via the city’s website and speaking with the owners/managers etc (which I gather from your post you have already attempted). I think it’s also a good idea to find out if there are any water restrictions, what your total water bill is and try to figure out how much you are actually paying.

if there are restrictions and they aren’t being adhered to…maybe you could go to city hall with a number of other tenants that would support you and inform the proper authorities. In person will get things done right away (that translates sadly into weeks, months etc).

if there aren’t restrictions then by renting there you have agreed to pay for the expenses of the owner’s upkeep of the building and property…their choices. You probably don’t have a leg to stand on.

But, you do have the other tenants who feel the same way. Maybe you could organize a little (or big) group in the building that could bring good old fashioned social pressure’s leg to stand on. A crowd of people that are actually paying good, hard-earned money for something they feel is destructive and unnecessary can be a formidable thorn in an uncaring owner’s side. If done peacefully, maturely and respectfully it should have some effect. if not now, possibly later in this owner’s business life. Good luck

Oh, and ignore the people who are telling you to move to a different place on the planet. They obviously don’t know the meaning and power of the word “Home”. We all have our problems with where we live, running away doesn’t make a home…staying does. If we all took off at the mere mention of trouble, we would all be moving and the word Home would pass out of use. Stay, take counsel of others and then do the right thing by your own lights. Sounds like that is just what it is you’re doing. ta, from canada.