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Utilities Included to Pay Utilities

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Shawna

Member
What is the name of your state? Maryland

A friend of mine is renting an apartment in Hyattsville, Maryland. On her lease it states that all utilities are included. Now as of 4/1/06 the landlord wants to start charging for utilities. Is he allowed to do this without a new lease in place? What can she do to protect herself? Any insight would be helpful. Thanks in advance!
 


FarmerJ

Senior Member
When did your friend get notice that the LL wanted to change it ? Will your friend have there own meters ?
 

heididun

Junior Member
If the LL wants to change to terms of the lease, I believe the tenant would be able to get out of their lease.
 

FarmerJ

Senior Member
more questions ? when does / did the lease end and what is its term ? ( is it a month to month rental now or does the lease have a few months on it left to go OR did the wording of the lease allow for change?
 

Shawna

Member
FarmerJ said:
more questions ? when does / did the lease end and what is its term ? ( is it a month to month rental now or does the lease have a few months on it left to go OR did the wording of the lease allow for change?

I will ask her tomorrow when I see her. I'll to get as musch information as possible. Thanks for trying to help.
 

Shawna

Member
FarmerJ said:
When did your friend get notice that the LL wanted to change it ? Will your friend have there own meters ?
Notice was given the week before change was supposed to take place.

FarmerJ said:
more questions ? when does / did the lease end and what is its term ?
( is it a month to month rental now or does the lease have a few months on it left to go OR did the wording of the lease allow for change?

This is a 1 year lease. Lease isn't up until 2007. The wording said nothing about landlord being able to change conditions of the lease.
 

Who's Liable?

Senior Member
heididun said:
If the LL wants to change to terms of the lease, I believe the tenant would be able to get out of their lease.
Wrong!

A LL wanting to change the terms of an existing lease is NOT a legal reason to terminate a lease...

The LL cannot change the terms of the lease without first notifying the renters with at least 30-days minimum WRITTEN notice... And only this can be done if there is a "lease change" clause included in the original lease, or if the OP'sstates LL/T laws allows it...

The OP will need to go through their states LL/T laws...
 

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