Q: Landlord changed lease to have us pay electric but not other tenants, shared water heater and common area on our bill.
Our original lease with previous owner included all utilities. After being bought by new owner, landlord started requesting extra $ from us for the electric bill. A few months ago landlord forced us to sign new lease, lowering rent by $50, but putting electric in our name (bill averaging 160-180/month) The apartment building has only one hot water heater, for four apartments, as well as several electrical areas that are shared with other apartments (hallway and porches lighting). We talked to previous landlord and confirmed there is only one water heater, and that to their knowledge that and the electrical part of the heating system was on our electrical meter. We tried speaking with current landlord multiple times as the electric bill is not only quite high but has high usage during times that either everyone in our apartment is asleep or not home. He says only our apartment is on our bill. Landlord is also not having other tenants pay electric despite saying he was changing for all.
A: Generally speaking, once you signed the new lease, you're bound by its terms, unless, for example, you have a claim that you were under duress at the time you signed it (which is very difficult to prove). I would suggest contacting CMP to see if they can help you sort out exactly what portion of the electricity that the entire apartment building uses you are paying for. Once you have this information, I would suggest talking to your landlord again. Good luck!
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