S
SueB130
Guest
I have a question that falls into a number of categories, but mainly I want to break my lease early.
I have completed two months of a six-month lease and have paid for the third month. I moved into the apartment after a long-distance move, from Iowa to Utah. I rented the home during a house-hunting trip prior to my move and at the time knew that the home was a duplex and that a young couple lived downstairs.
Upon my arrival, I leaned that the "duplex" was a recent development. The home had been converted from a single-family home into two units by the landlord. He did not split off the utilities, such as water, gas, or electric. I discovered, to my amazement, that the other tenants rent their unit with utilities included, and that I am expected to pay the utilities for the entire home! The landlord assured me that the utility bills are so low that this was "no big deal," so I agreed to wait and see. After all, I had just driven 1,500 miles and my moving van was on the way - what could I do?
To be truthful, I want out of the rental home because I have found a home that I wish to purchase. Also, this home was never intended to be a duplex, and I can hear everything that goes on in the other apartment, and these people stay up all night long. It is a rare night when these people do not wake me up at least once. They are not making abnormal amounts of noise, it's just that the house is exceptionally noisy with the world's creakiest floorboards. I was also told that the tenants do not smoke, but they smoke marijuana. I was told that pets are not allowed, but they have a cat that lives outdoors. I was told that only two people live in the other unit, but there are three most of the time.
Can I get out of the lease based upon the utility situation? If they offer to pay a portion of the utility bills, do I have to accept that remedy, or can I demand that the utilities be properly split off with separate meters? I happen to know that this cannot be done because the other apartment does not meet the fire code and the zoning office will not approve it as a rental unit. The utility companies will not install the separate meters without approval from the zoning office.
So, basically I live in an illegal duplex with noisy neighbors who are doing illegal things (smoking marijuana, but this is very difficult to prove) and keeping me up at night. To add insult to injury, I am expected to pay for utilities for four people when I live alone. I have not yet received a utility bill for a whole month, but have received one for a half month. Once I have a full month's bill in my hands, I intend to make my case. I have considerably more square feet than they have, but can only assume that I use only 25% of the power when it comes to water use, sewer, laundry, and hot showers and use an equal amount of power as far as refrigeration and cooking.
Do I have a case? Does the fact that I waited for two months to complain weaken my case, given that I did not have a utility bill yet? Once I complain, can they tell me that I may break the lease if I move out immediately, or is it reasonable for me to ask to remain for an additional 30 to 45 days so that I may secure a new place to live? Under these circumstances, will I be expected to assist in the search for a new renter?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
I have completed two months of a six-month lease and have paid for the third month. I moved into the apartment after a long-distance move, from Iowa to Utah. I rented the home during a house-hunting trip prior to my move and at the time knew that the home was a duplex and that a young couple lived downstairs.
Upon my arrival, I leaned that the "duplex" was a recent development. The home had been converted from a single-family home into two units by the landlord. He did not split off the utilities, such as water, gas, or electric. I discovered, to my amazement, that the other tenants rent their unit with utilities included, and that I am expected to pay the utilities for the entire home! The landlord assured me that the utility bills are so low that this was "no big deal," so I agreed to wait and see. After all, I had just driven 1,500 miles and my moving van was on the way - what could I do?
To be truthful, I want out of the rental home because I have found a home that I wish to purchase. Also, this home was never intended to be a duplex, and I can hear everything that goes on in the other apartment, and these people stay up all night long. It is a rare night when these people do not wake me up at least once. They are not making abnormal amounts of noise, it's just that the house is exceptionally noisy with the world's creakiest floorboards. I was also told that the tenants do not smoke, but they smoke marijuana. I was told that pets are not allowed, but they have a cat that lives outdoors. I was told that only two people live in the other unit, but there are three most of the time.
Can I get out of the lease based upon the utility situation? If they offer to pay a portion of the utility bills, do I have to accept that remedy, or can I demand that the utilities be properly split off with separate meters? I happen to know that this cannot be done because the other apartment does not meet the fire code and the zoning office will not approve it as a rental unit. The utility companies will not install the separate meters without approval from the zoning office.
So, basically I live in an illegal duplex with noisy neighbors who are doing illegal things (smoking marijuana, but this is very difficult to prove) and keeping me up at night. To add insult to injury, I am expected to pay for utilities for four people when I live alone. I have not yet received a utility bill for a whole month, but have received one for a half month. Once I have a full month's bill in my hands, I intend to make my case. I have considerably more square feet than they have, but can only assume that I use only 25% of the power when it comes to water use, sewer, laundry, and hot showers and use an equal amount of power as far as refrigeration and cooking.
Do I have a case? Does the fact that I waited for two months to complain weaken my case, given that I did not have a utility bill yet? Once I complain, can they tell me that I may break the lease if I move out immediately, or is it reasonable for me to ask to remain for an additional 30 to 45 days so that I may secure a new place to live? Under these circumstances, will I be expected to assist in the search for a new renter?
Thanks in advance for your advice.