Can my landlord make me install a gas meter?

Question

I moved into a commercial location a year ago. I went to see if we had natural gas lines but found none and did not even see a meter for my suite. I decided not to worry about getting it because I did not really need it. My heater stopped working last month. I used it last year and for three months this year. The ac man said it was because the gas was turned off. I informed him that I did not know we had gas and that if I did, someone had to pay my bill for a year. He went a checked for a meter and came back to say I did not have one even though I told him I never had gas. He said the only wrong with the heater was no gas. I don't think that was the problem, but I am not worried about having no heater. I can use space heaters because I live in Florida. We don't get very cold. Can my landlord make me have a meter and lines installed though even if I choose not to get gas or is it his responsibility to have a meter for my suite even if I don't want heat?

Answer 1

He cannot force you to get one. However, unless it is in your contract that he provides a heated building, he is not responsible for paying any fees to get it installed either. You should check with your gas company, because they might not even charge to put a meter in.