I live in a duplex & control the temperature for both units. When I moved in, the landlord told me he would send us the gas bill & we had to split it half & half. Six months went by & we didn't get a bill. Finally, he called me & told me to switch it into my name & pay off the balance on his account. I did this & the girl below me & I split the balance on his account. I immediately had problems collecting her half of the bill on time each month & started to regret putting the service in my name. She finally moved out a month or so ago; I wrote him a letter saying that I wanted him to switch the bill back to his name as soon as the new tenant moved in. A new tenant moved in July 1st. I called his assistant last Monday & told her I wanted the service switched July 1. Five days later I heard nothing, so I called her back, she said he wasn't going to switch it. What can I do to make him? I don't own the home, it isn't in my lease that I have to have utilities in my name... HELP!
2007-06-30 20:29:53 · 9 answers · asked by AlisonFox(y) 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
That's beyond the pale.
Here's tenant rights by state:
http://www.hud.gov/renting/tenantrights.cfm
What *I* would do - I'd call the electric company and get an estimate for putting in another meter. Discuss the problem with the them - they may be willing to send the bill directly to the property owner - him! If not.. have them send it to you in writing. Forward a copy of what you receive to him and tell him that if he isn't going to have the account transferred - you'll be happy to have another meter installed at his cost - and that you'll expect to take it out of the rent - see what sort of reaction you get. Put in a date - if you don't hear from him by such and such a date, you will take that as an agreement on his part. Send it registered mail.
He's forced you to be responsible for another tenant's utility bills - that's unconscionable.
2007-06-30 20:37:29 · answer #1 · answered by pepper 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dude, he can not rent the apartments out as a duplex if they do not have independent systems! Go check and see if there are two separate electric, gas and water meters. If there are not, complain to the state agency responsible for apartments. They can force him to put in separate meters for the two units then your problem is solved.
In the meantime, turn off the furnace. It is summer and you do not need it. In fact, you can stop the service since it is in your name. Use space heaters in the winter if he will not fix the furnace problem.
2007-06-30 21:14:16 · answer #2 · answered by forgivebutdonotforget911 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your landlord is in the wrong. He is jeopardizing your good credit to avoid paying for two meters or doing the work of splitting the bill himself. He may be in violation of local ordinances.Seek the service of a tenant arbitrator. Sometimes they are offered for free by the city or a non-profit.
2007-06-30 20:36:04 · answer #3 · answered by San Diego Art Nut 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
confident a hundred%%%%%% inform your landlord that this is been greater beneficial than suffient time because of the fact it have been given broken to confirm that it to be fixed with the aid of now (subsequently 4 days already proper!!) So, then you save directly to inform him which you prefer a lease alleviation for this months lease because it became not in finished working order (the homestead) you had no warm water or heating, that's a disrespect yet maximum of all, you're procuring that, so he's obliged to grant you a alleviation AND he has to repair it on the instant. Or he can get into worry in case you are concerned to persue it. he's in breach of his agreeemnt with you. You as a tenant owe him responsibilities and he owes you responsibilities. If something breaks, which it has and its not precisely a delicate bulb is it, its important factor (that's that in case you prefer to be clean) yet no heavily you already know what i imply, he has breached his agreemnt. inform him you will take extra action despite if this is not taken care of with the aid of the tip of day. x goodluck x
2016-10-03 08:08:06 · answer #4 · answered by mcfaul 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the local tenants council or board. In my city each unit has to have control of their own thermostat/furnace and have their own meters. I was in control of the temperature for 2 units and the landlord had to put in new so each tenant had control. You shouldnt have to have the bills in your name unless you agree and he drops your rent.
2007-06-30 23:47:34 · answer #5 · answered by mnwomen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he legally cannot do that...if he has two units they each need their own utility meters or he should have included the cost in the rent when you signed the lease.. if he continues call the city they should be able to tell positively what to do about it.
2007-06-30 20:39:37 · answer #6 · answered by grumpybear 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
call the gas company yourself and have it disconnected
you dont need to own the home to change the name in the bill
move out most places that rent will pay utilities for you free
2007-06-30 20:41:10 · answer #7 · answered by djizz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to look at your lease. It should say who is responsible for the utilities.
2007-06-30 20:33:40 · answer #8 · answered by nightboattocairo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can shut them off....BUT...unless the lease calls for him to supply the utilities...he does not have to put them on....
2007-06-30 20:35:19 · answer #9 · answered by consrgreat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋