Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1

    Default Unreasonable Use Of Utilities

    My question involves a security deposit in the State of: California

    I warned my tenants several times about the unusual high consumption of electricity (300% higher than previous tenant) resulting in high utility bills (utilities included in rent). Upon moving out they informed me that they each had space heaters in each room (4 bedroom condo) even though the condo has central heat. I deducted the dollar amount above average from their deposit upon move-out. They are threatening to sue me. Was I correct in deducting unreasonable electric charges?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    2,652

    Default Re: Unreasonable Use Of Utilities

    Yikes, utilities were covered in the rent.

    You are probably are going to get sued, and most likely you won't win.

    I would suggest you be more specific in your lease the next time you rent to someone. You should have investigated the high usage sooner and try and put an end to it - as warning them didn't stop them from using the heaters.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    9,096

    Default Re: Unreasonable Use Of Utilities

    Agreed.

    In your next lease, state that utilities up to a given dollar amount will be covered by the rent.

    If people think electricity is free, they use it like it's free.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    1,995

    Default Re: Unreasonable Use Of Utilities

    Unfortunately, for you, I agree with the others, that you're out of luck.

    I have a small apartment that I rent out, and due to factors of certain tenants unable to get service due to bad credit, and high turnover, from time to time, I've included the electric in the base rent.

    If too high a usage is a problem, WRITE IN a CAP, such as LL will include monthly electric up to $50.00, or whatever amount you wish to cover with the rent.

    I have the option of charging them the EXACT amount based on meter readings too, but I have to make sure I BILL them immediately when I get the bill, and collect it in a check separte from the rent, and often, I've not been up to date on this, and have not collected, and lost money.

    Average monthly electric bills for that apartment had ranged from $50.00 to $200.00. The lower bill is from a retired gentlemen who often stays with his neice, and the higher one is a tenant using it to run a consultant service, and leaves the several AC's on even when he's not in.

    Next time, see if you can bill them based on the exact usage, or have the utility bill them direct.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    28,906

    Default Re: Unreasonable Use Of Utilities

    Is the apartment separately metered? Or is the problem here that there's a shared meter, such that you cannot make each tenant responsible for their own electrical usage?

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Eviction Process: Unreasonable Eviction
    By bshay32 in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 12-05-2009, 09:51 AM
  2. Unreasonable Judge
    By skylarann in forum Child Custody, Support and Visitation
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-09-2009, 04:39 AM
  3. Traffic Accidents: Unreasonable Lawyer
    By gshangin22 in forum Accidents and Injuries
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 11-29-2008, 09:56 PM
  4. Am I Being Unreasonable?
    By gdiaz in forum Child Custody, Support and Visitation
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 07-06-2008, 12:42 PM
  5. Unreasonable Ex-Wife
    By HawaiiMom in forum Child Custody, Support and Visitation
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 09-14-2007, 05:01 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources