questions & answers

Question: I am on section 8, I rent from a real estate agency. I am being evicted for not paying my water bill. The realtor makes me share the water bill with my neighbor, and divides it in half for us to pay. I have not been able to pay for it, I have two daughters and we struggle to pay the electric and other expenses. In the past he has allowed me to get caught up when i file for taxes. I pay it out of the earned income credit refund, this year he is not allowing me to do so. They are evicting me, I asked if i could pay it when i get my tax refund, he said no. Is it legal to charge me half of H2o?

Answer: As a general rule, if a tenant agrees to a rental agreement that contains a term or condition that the tenant later comes to believe is unfair, the rental agreement will still be enforced unless the term or condition is determined to be unlawful. If you would like to discuss the details of your water service and payment arrangement with a legal advocate, there are links to free and low-cost legal services on this website (at http://www.azlawhelp.org/accessToJustice).