Can a Landlord Use Part of My Rent Payment to Pay My Utility Bill
My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
Hello. I pay my own water/sewer/trash which I am mailed a bill for each month. Each month I pay my rent out of one paycheck and my bills out of the next. Every month my Landlord leaves a letter on my door stating "that their records indicate that I currently have a balance on my utility account and if this amount is not paid off, they will be applying my rent to the utilites first which will result in a short payment in rent resulting in a 3 day notice be served and additional fees accruing". I paid my rent on the first, can they now 14 days later, use part of that money to pay my utility bill?
Thank you.
Re: Can a Landlord Use Part of My Rent Payment to Pay My Utility Bill
I cannot see your lease from here. Does it characterize the utility charge as "rent"?
Does it provide that it's your landlord, not you, who decides how your payments are to be applied to rent and utilities for which payment is due?