In the City of Cleveland, the landlord is responsible for paying for the water. Since the landlord is responsible and the water is scheduled to be shut off, tenants may utilize the rent depositing process to prevent the shut-off or have the utility service restored.
Tenants living in the same building being effected by a shut-off need to obtain a petition signed by at least 50% of the tenants in the building. The petition, a copy of the shut-off notice, and a letter stating the problem should then be sent to the landlord. Next, the tenants should notify the utility company of their intention to rent deposit by forwarding to the utility company a copy of both the letter and the petition that were sent to the landlord. Additionally, a copy of the letter, the notice of the shut-off, and the petition should be filed with the Clerk of Courts.
Finally, each tenant who has signed the petition should then pay their rent on the day it is normally due to the Clerk of Courts. The court can then allow the overdue bill to be paid to the utility company out of the deposited monies.
How to use a form letter.