I have a roommate who didn't ask for clarification, but asked to use our internet service via my router, (high speed internet) and even borrower my TV to hook up Cable into his room. 6 months later and he's moving out, and I asked him for utilities and he says he shouldn't pay because my listing said "utilities included". OK, so even if my listing did say that, does that mean I have to pay for his high speed internet and cable TV access? Are those utilities or luxuries? And he never asked for clarification? I have his $300 deposit, but I have a feeling he will put up a fight if I withhold it.
What do you think?
2006-06-15 15:40:26 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
OK , the answer is.......Water, electric, sewer ( sometimes phone). All others are considered luxuries. However since you weren't clear and let him use your Internet/cable for the 6 months( instead of letting him "Borrow" it just a few times/ once in awhile) he assumed it was included. And as you "assume" makes an *** out of u and me(well him). You were both wrong. he should have asked you should have said it wasn't included. Unfortunately that leaves you holding the bag.
But you can call a real estate lawyer and ask them.. advice is usually free
2006-06-15 15:53:28 · answer #1 · answered by fairlypsycho 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Utilities included means just that. Although he didn't ask for clarification, you could and should have done this yourself if you wanted modifications. I believe utilities are telephone, electricity, gas and water. I do not believe they include cable and internet. But even when utilties are included, there should be a monthly dollar amount limit, to be stated in writing. Any charges incurred above and beyond the limit are the sole responsiblity of the renter.
You've said twice that he didn't ask for clarification. But did you GIVE it???? You also have a responsibility here. You could try explaining what services are considered utilities and see if he goes along with it. I suppose if you wanted to take your ex-roommate to Court TV, you might win some money back. I suggest you consider this tuition for one of life's lessons-the-hard-way and give him his deposit back (less damages).
Next time, make sure you have a rental agreement. You can find standard rental agreements at office supply places. Make the changes or additions you need, like what I suggested for utilities. State exactly which utilties are included and what the renter's responsiblity is if he/she exceeds their limit. Anything else that's important to you should also be included in the agreement. Have two copies and you and the renter sign them both. Renter gets one copy and so do you.
2006-06-15 23:04:25 · answer #2 · answered by TweetyBird 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had several roomates stay in my house in the past. I always advertised "Utilities Included" as well. However, Electric, and water/sewage, were the only utilities that I included in the rent. I think that if the roomates is using the internet service, the home phone line, and watching cable TV, then they need to pay for it.
I do have some friends that include the cable with the rent. Good Luck!!
2006-06-15 23:58:55 · answer #3 · answered by Kim 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree that internet access and cable tv are luxuries and not utilities. Utilities are water, electric, and gas.
2006-06-15 22:49:32 · answer #4 · answered by blueyepsyco 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my assumption, had i seen this in an ad, would be water, electricity, internet. i think it's acceptable in this technology-driven day and age to assume internet fees are included in utilities.
you probably should have mentioned something to him when he first started using the cable tv/modem that you weren't meaning it was included. 6 months after the fact is probably too late.
2006-06-15 22:45:26 · answer #5 · answered by Erica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
utilities only include water power and gas (if gas is used) internet cable and phone are luxuries. any court in the country will tell you the same thing..
2006-06-15 22:46:42 · answer #6 · answered by highgamer6969 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My renter agreement spells it out, but I would think that water, electricity, gas and garbage removal are included. Since you didn't tell him up front when he "asked" to use your cable and internet services I don't believe it would be fair to charge him now. Sorry. Write up a clear renters agreement for your next tenant.
2006-06-15 22:45:00 · answer #7 · answered by bortiepie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Next time, clarify what utilities are included. It's a toss up weather you would win a court case about it. It would depend on the mood of the judge. This time, chalk it up to experience.
2006-06-15 22:47:09 · answer #8 · answered by Jeff M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you planned on charging him for those things you should have made that clear when he asked to use them. It didn't cost you anything extra for him to use them did it? If you considered those amenities to be something that were not part of the live in agreement then you should have said something like "If you want to use them then you have to split the bill with me because those are extra." If you didn't say that and now you want to charge him it sounds like you have some bitterness over his residency and you need to get over it without trying to impose some financial burden that wasn't made clear before.
2006-06-15 22:48:26 · answer #9 · answered by Martin S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋