Received water bill of $800. (normal bill $73) due to a broken water pipe. We notified the LL as soon as it was noticed.

Who has paid the water bill the last 11 years? That person is likely going to pay the $800 and $300 bill-at least initially. In whose name are the utilities? What was your agreement with the LL when you moved in? Why did you and your husband pay for all the repairs the last decade? You DO have a lease agreement--it may be oral, but you DO have an agreement. A LL is required in all states I am aware of to pay for repairs to a broken pipe and for any damages resulting (like the huge water bill) unless the LL can show the tenant is responsible for having broken the pipe. Oral agreements are not easy to prove in court--the bulk of your evidence sounds like it will come from canceled checks, utility bill invoices from past years. OF course LL wants September rent--tenants are responsible to pay rent on time and in full--the utility issue notwithstanding. If you fail to pay rent on time and in full, the LL is privileged to begin eviction proceedings. As I recall, on a month to month tenancy (likely what you are on) in Florida requires only 15 days of notice to terminate (I am NOT a FL attorney). Recommend you chat with a local landlord tenant attorney and untangle the utility bill issue before your rent is past due and your housing is jeopardized. Some St Petersburg landlord tenant attorneys are regulars on attorneyqna.com--give one a call ASAP. Recommend you chate with a local landlord tenant attorney and untangle the utility bill issue before your rent is past due and your housing is jeopardized. Some St Petersburg landord tenant attorneys are regulars on attorneyqna.com--give one a call ASAP.

Dear will I be made to pay the water bill? I am an attorney licensed in New York and I do not practice law in Florida. New York does not allow for repair and deduct, unless specifically provided for in a written lease. Florida has a specific statute that states the landlord obligations in renting a house: Section 83.51(1)(a)(b), F.S. The landlord's responsibilities will depend on the type of rental unit. The landlord of a single-family home or duplex shall at all times during the tenancy: Comply with the requirements of applicable building, housing and health codes; or Where there are no applicable building, housing or health codes; maintain the roof, windows, screens, floors, steps, porches, exterior walls foundations and all other structural components in good repair and capable of resisting normal forces and loads; Keep the plumbing in reasonably good working condition. The landlord's obligations may be altered or modified in writing when renting a single family dwelling or duplex. So the landlord's failure to maintain the water pipe, may mean the landlord cannot pass the high water bill on to you. You could read more about your rights as a tenant in Florida at: The Florida landlord and tenant statute at: http://www.800helpfla.com/landlord_text.html http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/florida-tenant-rights-withhold-rent.html http://cdn.publicinterestnetwork.org/assets/LeMrpgDx23ksuwsXJvUavw/Renters-Rights-2.1.pdf Good luck.