Under what circumstances can utilities be turned off?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Under what circumstances can utilities be turned off?
I’m disabled and I have 2 kids – 4 and 10. My water bill on average is $35 a month. Now they put city sewer in it and it is $170 a month. Can I pay my water and garabage and not the sewer? Can they turn my water off?
Asked on September 7, 2010 under Bankruptcy Law, Tennessee
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
It is difficult with a sewer system to turn off your water. It is not like electric or gas. But you could indeed have a lien placed regarding the outstanding balance. And then there are interest and penalties. You claim that you are disabled. Are you covered under the ADA? Do you receive public assistance of any kind? Then I would look in to any programs that would allow you obtain a reduction or assistance in paying for your necessities. Contact the Department of Social Services to discuss the matter. Maybe they can lead you in the right direction as to programs available. There may even be programs that help with the other of life's necessities to free up some money to pay the water instead. Good luck.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.