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  1. #1
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    Default Can My Landlord Increase My Share of the Utility Bill

    My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Florida

    Does landlord have a right to levy a penalty on me? My landlord has caught me asleep with my lights on, usually happens very infrequently - perhaps once a month. He urged me that if I do it again I have to pay half of the electricity bill.

    It really steams me because we had discussed that the utility overage would only be in-effect if we go above $60 per person as stated in the lease agreement. We have two other tenants living in the dwelling (3 tenants). So that would be 180 not including the landlord (who also lives with us). So if we end up using more than $180 of electricity in a month we have to pay the difference...split 3 ways.

    The thing that pisses me off is that its literally pennies how much leaving the lights on costs the overall electricity bill, so him calling me reckless with the electricity bill is absurd. He told me that the electricity bill to split is $90. That's half of the amount that the lease states is the overage limit (i.e. $180).

    The lease agreement is for a residential dwelling on a month to month basis in Florida.

    So is the landlord in the right or am I?

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Can My Landlord Increase My Share of the Utility Bill

    If you're a month-to-month tenant, your landlord can change the terms of your lease on a rental period's notice.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Can My Landlord Increase My Share of the Utility Bill

    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
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    If you're a month-to-month tenant, your landlord can change the terms of your lease on a rental period's notice.
    He can? Then what about lease agreement that we agreed to together?? He and ME had to agree to those terms before moving in, right? Why am I not allowed to have a say in any future terms.

    If he can change it however he wants once I've moved in, then how can future terms be changed such that he does not abuse his right to change the terms...

    It seem rather skewed to the landlords' position...

    And above all, does his request for half of the utility seem like a reasonable request on his part? Am I the party with his foot in his mouth?? Like I don't want to be the idiot if everyone thinks its reasonable... I just felt like the lease agreement protected me from this but perhaps it didn't...please let me know...

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Can My Landlord Increase My Share of the Utility Bill

    I can't see your lease agreement from where I'm sitting, and you've told us nothing about it beyond its being month-to-month. If you stated that accurately, again, he can change the terms on a rental period's notice. You are free to respond by giving notice that you are moving out.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Can My Landlord Increase My Share of the Utility Bill

    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
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    I can't see your lease agreement from where I'm sitting, and you've told us nothing about it beyond its being month-to-month. If you stated that accurately, again, he can change the terms on a rental period's notice. You are free to respond by giving notice that you are moving out.
    It says that if utility goes beyond 60 $ per person per utility then the excess will be divided among all persons. There are currently 2 other tenants. At the very least that is $180 limit for electricity.

    So if we use $200 worth of electricity, then we would be responsible for paying the extra $20.

    If he can change the terms, does it need to be written like we do the lease? I don't think my point is getting across - he changed the terms verbally...

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Can My Landlord Increase My Share of the Utility Bill

    Sounds like you agreed to the initial terms verbally. That's your problem here. Nothing was actually put down in writing on how the utility bills would be split.

    Gail

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Can My Landlord Increase My Share of the Utility Bill

    Quote Quoting gail in georgia
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    Sounds like you agreed to the initial terms verbally. That's your problem here. Nothing was actually put down in writing on how the utility bills would be split.

    Gail
    No, the lease agreement specifically states in writing and agreed by him and me the following lines:

    If utility goes beyond 60 $ per person per utility then the excess will be divided among all persons.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Can My Landlord Increase My Share of the Utility Bill

    For the third time, if this is a month-to-month lease, the terms can be changed on one full rental period's notice.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Can My Landlord Increase My Share of the Utility Bill

    Quote Quoting Mr. Knowitall
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    For the third time, if this is a month-to-month lease, the terms can be changed on one full rental period's notice.
    I got that...but it can change verbally too? No record?

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Can My Landlord Increase My Share of the Utility Bill

    Yes, it can. You've received notice of the change. Your options appear to be to remember to shut the lights off, to prepare for an increase in your share of the utilities, or to move.

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