Dear Claudienne,I read your column most Sundays in the Jamaica Observer. I have a house in the country that I rent, and the water and light bills are in the tenant’s name. However, the tenant has not been paying the National Water Commission (NWC), and the water bill for the premises is now in excess of $83,000. I need to know what will happen when he quits the premises and leaves this outstanding amount on the water bill.  Will I have to pay the NWC the outstanding amount before I can rent the premises again? I would also like to know what is the policy of the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPSCo) on outstanding light bills at premises where there are tenants.

Thanking you.

According to the NWC, the landlord is responsible for the bill payments, and would have to sue the tenant to recover any outstanding amount owed to the NWC. The JPS told Tell Claudienne that they handle payments to be made on outstanding bills on a case-by-case basis. Please go the JPS parish manager to discuss the problem you are having with your tenant and how the matter can be dealt with.

LM

Dear LM,

Good luck.