I live in an old house in NH that was converted into condos. It has steam heat, so instead of each condo paying for its own usage, the heating bill get payed with a portion of everyone's condo fee each month (there's one thermostat for the whole building and individual radiators in each unit). We recently went from a flat condo fee to a rate based on the square footage of everyone's unit. My condo fee went up $30.00, but my neighbor's went up $112.00, because, besides her apt. she also owns the finished attic (the door to the attic is in her apt.). She's angry about her fee increase and says she should only have to pay based on the footage of her living space, not the attic. The attic is finished, but has no radiators and has a low ceiling. (It would make a good room for a child). But heat still rises from the rest of the building into the attic, keeping it warm, and someone will have to pay for it. All the other units think she should pay for the attic's space, as do I. Should she?
2007-10-28 09:35:02 · 5 answers · asked by titian29 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
If she's the only one who gets to use the room then she should pay for it being heated.
2007-10-28 09:46:45 · answer #1 · answered by Shannon XoXo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You completely make total sense. The only problem that I see is that she didn't think of it when she signed an agreement for change. Assuming there was an agreement/vote between all the tenants to pay for heat by some condo/footage calculation.
Have your neighbor re-negotiate the terms if possible. But, this would mean that everyone else is going to cover the cost. So, this could mean that your increased of $30 could go up some more. Keep that in mind. Also, I recommend that you stay out of her heating troubles. This sort of things are ingredients to making neighbors into enemies. Be there for your neighbor as a friend, but you helping her might end up costing you.
Good Luck to you.
2007-10-28 09:44:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she owns the attic space and has exclusive use of it then yes she should pay the increase, whether she uses it as additional living space or not that is her prerogative.
2007-10-28 09:55:11 · answer #3 · answered by That_ blue_ eyed_ Irish_ lass 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This should be in the lease. With the change in monthly payments I'm not sure who has to pay? That should be in some document you've signed. Did they have everyone resign an agreement? If it is not specifically spelled out, she can fight it.
2007-10-28 09:41:40 · answer #4 · answered by dude 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,ask your land lord.Good Luck
2007-11-01 08:25:06 · answer #5 · answered by Ollie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋