I have been living on the first floor of a 3 family house for about 1 year. The landlord lives on the second floor and the lower apartment is vacant. Just last night while checking a heat problem with the utility service man, he pointed out the fact that the lower apartment's thermostat was hooked to my furnace, although the apt. is vacant I checked the thermostat and it was set to 62 degrees. (My gas bill was over $400 last month) I now realize that the garage, and washer-dryer in that garage that my landlord uses (not us) (and who knows what else) is probably on my electric and gas as well ( I can pretty easily verify this through the circuit breaker box tonight). My lease only states that the hall light and outside light are on my electric meter.
Do I have any legal right for re-imbursment of utilities over the last year, and how should I proceed if I decide to renew my lease in March 2008? I really cannot afford to move right now.
Do I have any legal right for re-imbursment of utilities over the last year, and how should I proceed if I decide to renew my lease in March 2008? I really cannot afford to move right now.
