Is the landlord required to give me an official bill for heating and hot water?

Question

I received a letter from my landlord via email stating an amount that I needed to pay for hot water and heating for the months of Sept 1-November 13th of this year even though I have lived here since June. I live in a commercial property and the space is about 700 square feet or less. She receives the bill for the entire property which has 2 other business in the same building. The amount that I was told to pay was 98 dollars and some change. She didn't scan me the official bill instead she typed up a document saying that this is what I owed her. I called up the utility company to find out the average monthly usage and was told it was one bill being sent out every month, but I would have to discuss it with the landlord. Is it pointless to ask the landlord for copies of the bills? Is it required by law that she provide me with official bills? I live in the state of PA. my lease states that she would bill me for the heat and hot water.

Answer 1

This sounds like a typical situation for commercial property. Usually the property management company will bill for utilities on a quarterly basis or semi-annual basis. At the end of the year they will usually send all the tenants copies for the bills paid during the year.

It operates differently than residential property. It doesn't sound like they are doing anything fishy. If you ask for a copy of the bill they will most likely give it to you.

Answer 2

Some companies attach a copy of the main bill along with a typed up bill with what your portion should be based on your square footage.

Usually it's customary for LL to base it on a calculation for electricity and just give you a bill with the calculation if she has to prorate the charge back to the tenant. It's not unusual to not provide the electricty bill.

It sounds like $98 dollars for almost three months is a fair amount, if she had billed you $980 dollars I'd be asking for a copy of the bill.

Call the LL and see if she will provide you with a copy for your records, but you will not figure out how she came up with her calculation and how she prorated your portion unless she provided the calculation on the invoice, all you'll get is a copy of the bill for the entire building. The electricity company will not provide you with a copy they won't even give you any information on the account. Trust me I work in property management and if you can't tell them the phone number or the name on the account they are like fort knox.

Answer 3

If you have a solid contract that states "all utilities included", you should be fine. Turn on your heater when you are there for your own comfort. If she complains, be polite and state that you have decided to turn on heat in your room, and you would appreciate her respecting your tennant rights to use the room and utilities that are included in the rent payment. She cannot "remove" electricity from your rent, as it is stated in your lease document, and she cannot control your use of the electricity. The only thing she can legally do is to wait until your lease is up and then increase the rent. Enjoy Christmas with your tree this year! You're legally entitled!

Answer 4

There may not be any state law that requres her to provide you with an official bill but you should ask for one and a receipt. You could ask that she include the bills as backup for her calculations.

Answer 5

I would at least ask for a copy of the bill and a receipt and I would ask the other tenants what they are paying as well