Utility Problems

By Tenant

Utility problem is one of the most common problem tenant’s faces when renting a house or an apartment. It usually involves heat, water and electricity. Sometimes this became a very big dispute between the landlord and his tenant that sometimes lead to complaints and early termination of lease. This is a very hassle and inconvenient to both the lender and the tenant themselves.


Here are some tips to avoid disputes with your landlord regarding utility problems and repair:

  • Have a lease Agreement. Be sure that when you move in you have a lease you can check and review for future reference. Put everything to writing and document the whole agreement first before you move in.
  • Transfer the bill to your name. As a tenant occupying a rental property you can ask for your landlord to transfer the name on the utility bills from his name to yours. That is to be safe from any overcharging a landlord could do to you. Also it serves as a precaution to your landlord if in the future you cannot pay for your utility bill.
  • Make sure your lease has a clause for utilities. Review your lease agreement and make sure it has a Utility and Repairs Clause that specifies who is responsible for paying for the services of a professional when needed. Always put to mind that a lease agreement is a binding contract between you and your landlord that can be used by you or against you in court, so be sure you know what you are signing and what you are getting yourself into.
  • Check the power and water lines if it has a meter of its own. Just to be safe make sure that your own utilities have a meter of its own and not under someone else’s meter for it is illegal and you do not want to face lawsuit from other people for illegal taping.

Edited on: Saturday, March 9th, 2013 12:20 am

15 Responses to “Utility Problems”

My response: (We welcome stories, examples, explanations, answers and a touch of your personality)
 

Rosamaria

March 9th, 2013 12:40 am

Can I sue my landlord for illegal taping?


Les

March 9th, 2013 11:20 am

A crooked landlord will never transfer the utility bill to your name


Chanelle

March 9th, 2013 10:20 pm

Would it take long to transfer the name on the bill from my landlord to mine?


Berry

March 10th, 2013 9:20 am

I agree! Always document every agreement you have with your landlord.


Lesley

March 10th, 2013 8:20 pm

Will I get problems if my landlord’s power lines are under the meter of his mother’s house?


Joaquin

March 11th, 2013 7:00 am

Is there a way I can get refund for the repairs I made with the utilities while my landlord was away?


Truman

March 11th, 2013 6:00 pm

Can my landlord deduct my security deposit to pay for the utility bill?


Bob

March 12th, 2013 5:00 am

My electricity is under y landlord brother’s meter and is now threatening to cut our electricity if I won’t pay $600 dollars


Karissa

March 12th, 2013 4:00 pm

Do we need a letter of approval from our landlord to change the utility bill to our name?


Christene

March 13th, 2013 3:00 am

My landlord will not pay the repair for our water heater; can I take him to small courts?


Elbert

March 13th, 2013 2:00 pm

Can I withhold rent if my landlord will not pay for the repairs to be made?


Jamar

March 14th, 2013 12:40 am

Landlords who will not pay for repairs should be locked in jail!


Twila

March 14th, 2013 11:40 am

It sucks having to deal with this kind of landlords.


Garfield

March 14th, 2013 11:00 pm

Is it a strong case if ever I decide to pursue this in kind of concern in court?


Maren

March 15th, 2013 9:40 am

Free utilities are way much better than having all this things to face.


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