Is it legal to do this?

Question

I live in an apartment , in a very safe neighborhood where the firestaion if less then a mile away, along with the police station less the 10 miles away.. The apartment mangement is about to install an monitored alarm system in all the apartments.

Effective with the renewal ,we will be charged $35.00 per month for the alarm. If we choose to have an alarm monitored , we will need an alarm permit with the City Of Arlington , Tx. The cost of the permit is $50.00 per year payable to the city.
If we choose not the have the alarm monitored , there still will a fee of $35.00 per month for the alarm. However, it will not be monitored by the city.

Is it legal to charge us this? My family think we don't need to alarm system , we also think that we should not pay for something we have no interest of haveing. Any ideas????

Answer 1

It is perfectly legal. You don't own the property. Therefore the owners are within their rights improve on the property and charge accordingly. Giving you the option to have the location monitored is given to you as an option, as they cannot force you to do that. If they want the apartment monitored, that would be a bill they would be responsible for. But they are within their rights to install the alarm (which they cannot charge you, as it was their idea) and charge the monthly maintenance fee (that is what this essentially is considered, a maintenance fee).

Answer 2

Well, lets say that the place came with a fireplace and you never used it. Would you expect a refund from your rent?

The apartment is paying to install the alarm in the apartments. They have to pass those costs to the tennants. It is business. As you said, your rent will go up with the lease renewal to cover the cost. You have the option of paying for the alarm or finding a different place to live.

This sounds legal to me. The apartment people are putting a new feature in the apartment. It is up to you whether or not you use it. However, the feature is a part of the apartment and should be included in the rent.

Answer 3

Remember, they own the building/apartment & not you. If they think it will better safe-guard their property from being broken into, they have every right to.

Now, that being said, if you and all your neighbors think it's a bit extreme, mabe have a letter sent to the landlord (& signed by ALL the tenants) saying that you do not think it's necessary to have an alarm in every unit and ask if it would be possible to just have an alarm or other type of security on the parimiter of the building itself. (like, installing those buzzers that make it so that if you do not have a key, someone has to buzz you in).

Answer 4

read your lease. If it's not in the lease, then you shouldn't have to pay. However, if you are renewing the lease, and they put this in, then yes, you can decide to pay or move.

NOTE: call your insurance agent and see if you can lower your renters insurance cost since you have an alarm. If you don't have renters insurance, GET IT TODAY. If there is a fire, or damages, etc, without your own insurance you are SOL.

Answer 5

If you renew your lease, it's legal. But, they can't throw you out for not wanting the system. Call Consumer Affairs or The Housing Authority where you live and explain it to them and they can tell you your options.

Answer 6

It's perfectly legal. Once your lease expires the LL is free to raise the rent and modify the terms of the tenancy in any way he chooses. You can always try to negotiate this if you wish and many LLs will do so. If your LL isn't willing to do so, you are always free to "vote with your feet" and move.

Answer 7

I would think the landlord could insert something like that into the lease. If you don't like it, don't sign, but expect to have to move.

Answer 8

Sounds like they are forcing you to pay.

I doubt that it is "legal", but could be written into your lease.

Sounds like a question to be posed to the State Public Advocates office.