Ca water co. required new tenant to pay old tenants water bill or refused to turn on water?

[matchitisiw]

I rented a house that unknown to me was in foreclosure. The old tenants water bill that I was required to pay was $500. Water co. did not provide me with the bill. I went to the water co and was told that even though I was a new tenant, I had to pay the old bill. Why am I responsible for the old tenants bill. I cannot find anything in Calif. codes or law that addresses this. I want to write the water co. a letter and ask for a refund of my $500. But I would like to be able to cite a Calif code or law that tells the water company that they are not allowed to do this. I have lived locally for years but this is my first experience with this company.

[teithi71]

You are not responsible for anyone else's bills, or indeed any debts not in your name - do you think credit card companies could start requesting anyone at the same address to pay up?

You shouldn't have paid the bill; they should refund you. I'd send them a letter requesting this immediately.