HOUSTON – A Magnolia Park man was shocked when he received a water bill totaling over $59,000 from the City of Houston.
Rogelio Rodriguez told KPRC 2 he discovered the bill in the mailbox of a vacant home he owned and had recently begun remodeling.
The bill was addressed to the previous owner and claimed it was past due since March 19th, 2018.
The city also claimed Rodriguez has used 25,000 gallons water in the month of January, but Rodriguez said that impossible because it’s vacant and has no leaks.
“I said this is crazy man. My blood pressure shot up,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez quickly disputed the bill and informed them he had only owned the home since 2021.
“They said show us proof, so I sent them the deed and everything and they were fine with that,” Rodriguez said. “[The city] said ‘you just owe us 2021, 22 and 23,’ and that’s the problem I’m having with them right now,” said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said he agreed but asked what his new bill would look like.
“They don’t want to tell me, they want me to give my information and bill me later,” Rodriguez said,”
KPRC 2 reached out to the city, and they agreed to look into it.
Rodriguez said he’s considering hiring an attorney.