Common Utilities and Responsibility

[leiag]

I currently live in Colorado. In my lease agreement, it states clearly that my landlord will pay for wastewater, water, and trash, and that the tenet will pay for electricity, gas, heat, and any ammenities. There is no mention at all of common utilities. However, I think that my landlord is trying to charge me for the electricity to light the common hallways and sidewalks associated with my building. The bill for electricity and gas (for my stove, I think) that I use in my own unit is sent to me directly from the utilities company, but my landlord sends me a hand-written bill attached to a photocopy of a huge bill for the entire building. This "general bill" has a section for gas, electricity, and something called "area lights."

Can my landlord charge me for these common utilities if it is not clearly stated in my lease that I must pay for them? Please help!

 

[LL]

Probably not, if it is not an obligation of the lease.

 

[dj1]

NO the landlord cannot charge you for common utilities...PERIOD! if its not in the lease....

BUT next lease he will include that.....BUT you have a LEGAL right to see a copy of the bill, and to demand a fair calculation of your share.

Also you can call the electric company and have them inspect the line to see if ONLY common lights are on that meter.....who knows maybe the landlord workshop,or garage is on it too, or the supers apartment, which would be Illegal.

 

[dj1]

OK here is what you tell the landlord:

An Amenity is an extra service, a luxury, such as if all the tenants pay for the electicity to light up a swimming pool, and to filter the water, OR the lights to keep on late hours for a tennis court, or a recreation room, those would be considered amenities,

BUT common lights are NOT an amenity,they are a ....NECESSITY.....and mut be included in the rent and paid by the landlord.

I never heard of a landlord stooping to that level of cheapness before.