Lease provision requiring leaving water running in freezing weather

[tblair]

My friend has a lease for an apartment in Washington DC. She signed a lease with a provision that states she must run the water whenver the outside temperature is below 35, presumably to prevent pipes which come in from outside from freezing/bursting. Needless to say, it can be below 35 for weeks at a time in DC, and the water bill will be outrageous.

Is this an enforceable lease provision?

Thank you.

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

The water does not have to run; a simple very slow drip will suffice. This is, as you stated, to prevent water pipes from bursting in very cold weather.

Her water bill will not be as outrageous as the plumbing bill she would be responsible for should she fail to do this and the pipes burst.

Bottom line..this was in the contract (i.e, the lease) she (hopefully) read beforehand and signed, agreeing to this stipulation.

Gail

 

[tblair]

Thank you - one more question

She had left her water "dripping." The landlord said this was not sufficient and entered her home to turn it on full blast. He left it on full blast. For her downstairs neighbor, the landlord entered and turned the neighbors water on full blast as well. Unfortunately the neighbor had just left for Xmas vacation - it ran that way for *two and half weeks.* I'll accept your guidance if you say this is legal, but even with the signed lease, this seems abusive. Please advise.

 

[Gail_in_Georgia]

If you're asking is it legal for the landlord to come in and turn the hot water on full blast, I highly doubt that your state has a law that addresses this issue.

Full blast is not necessary. A trickle will keep the pipes from freezing.

Your friend and the other tenant could certainly argue that this was an "illegal entry" into their units (I'm assuming the landlord did not notify them that he was going to do this) for a non-emergency situation.

Gail