I signed an apartment rental lease 2 years ago and it stated I would be responsible for all utilities EXCEPT the water and garbage. There are not any submeters for water for the four units here. He told me I have to sign an addendum saying I would pay 1/4 of the water bill, and if I didn't he would serve me, reject my rent and evict me. He made it very clear this is not a rent increase. I have contacted my local rental board about this matter also, but just wanted other opinions.
2006-09-12 15:10:39 · 10 answers · asked by THICKUMS 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
It is a month to month lease and he just said that he wants to keep the water bill money in his pocket and now he wants the tenants to split the bill.
2006-09-12 16:09:53 · update #1
No. Let him sue.
2006-09-12 15:15:40 · answer #1 · answered by Nelson_DeVon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The landlord cannot force you to sign an addendum. If you are harrassed about it, report it to the authorities.
Since the lease is 2 years old though, you should review it and make sure it hasn't expired. Perhaps this addendum has to do with renewing your lease and now he wants you to pay for part of the water bill.
If it is a renewal, shop around and see what the going rates are, then you can either negotiate with the landlord based on facts or you might find a better place to live.
Regards,
Joe Ballarino
http://www.AmerivestRealty.com
2006-09-12 22:46:02 · answer #2 · answered by Joe_Ballarino 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry to tell you that the landlord is right. Because you are on a month to month basis, he can change the rules on the same month to month basis. That is why there is security in resigning a new lease for another year (or what ever time allotment). It may be illegal for him to split the water bill without separate meters (meters are expensive and are the responsibility of the landlord to purchase), so you could inform your local real estate commission, county zoning commission or even the utility company of his plan to see if you can't get him in trouble.
As opposed to others who answered, I would try to avoid the court room as best you can. That sort of thing will cost you down the road.
2006-09-13 00:16:43 · answer #3 · answered by linkus86 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He cannot make you pay for water if there is no submeter! How long is your lease for? Send the poophead your rent via certified mail. You can fight him and your local renters rights assocation should be happy to help you. There is no way he can make you pay for water someone else might be using...he will have to go to the expense of installing submeters to charge you.
Ater your addition: With a month to month contract...all bets are off unfortunately...but I don't think he can split the bill 4 ways he must install a submeter or logically - he should raise the rent by the total water bills for the last 12 monthes divided by 4!
2006-09-12 22:17:00 · answer #4 · answered by Angelfood 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
google your state and landlord/tenant laws....I'm a landlord in AZ and it is specific in the law that there has to be a separate water meter for tenants or landlord pays the water bill.
Let him serve you and start the eviction....when you go to court and the judge hears what he wants he will probably award YOU double damages (usually two months rent)
Small claims court may seem intimidating, but you have rights, you just need to exercise them....Send your landlord a polite letter (certified) and after you checked the laws in your state, and tell him you have no intention of paying for someone else's water and that by law.....(whatever the law says). keep a copy so when you go to court you can show that to the judge.
Most small claims have days specific to landlord/tenant disputes. Most laws favor the tenant and most judges hate landlords......Stick to your guns, but be polite.
2006-09-13 00:53:05 · answer #5 · answered by Paula M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like there was a rate increase in the utiliy charges and someone on your complex is using alot of friggin water. So your landlord is trying to offset the increase. YOu are on the right trackt with your fair housing board. They would be the best resource for this type of issue.
2006-09-12 22:33:17 · answer #6 · answered by limgrn_maria 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With a month to month lease all he has to do is give you a 30 day notice of any changes. A month to month lease means that your residence there is not binding--you just have to give 30 days (one month) notice to move or for him to make changes. In this case, it sounds like you have a crappy landlord.
Check laws in your area. Where I'm from its at the landlord's discretion what utilities they will cover or not, they are only required to maintain the building itself.
2006-09-13 02:34:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did your lease expire and this is part of the new lease agreement? If not and you are still on the same lease I don't think he can just amend the original lease agreement two years later. The terms of your lease are the only terms of your lease. He signed the contract so he agreed to the terms as well.
2006-09-12 22:15:47 · answer #8 · answered by porkchop 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you sign it then you are stuck to it. but if it wasn't in the original agreement then don't sign, however he can do that and then you can take him to court.
2006-09-12 22:19:09 · answer #9 · answered by LaLa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what state do you live in?
2006-09-12 22:18:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋