Q: Does your landlord legally have to tell you if you are responsible for extra utilities outside of your unit?
My landlord didn't tell me who was responsible for the porch and landing lights that can be used by two separate apartments. I have lived here two years and never once used the lights. After seeing them left on again by the neighbor, I asked the landlord who pays for the lights. She didn't even know who paid them. I checked the breakers, and I do. I have been paying my neighbors power for two years because my landlord didn't inform me that I was responsible for the power outside of my unit. There wasn't even anything in my lease about this. I feel like I've been scammed. What can I do?
A: You should not be paying your neighbor's utility bill, and you can request a full refund of the bills you've paid (acquire invoice copies) and fix of this situation. The utility company may need to come to the home to fix this too. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications on my law practice website, www.AliEsq.com. I practice law in CA, NY, MA, WA, and DC in the following areas of law: Business & Contracts, Criminal Defense, Divorce & Child Custody, and Education Law. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions, guarantees, or warranties; or create any Attorney-Client relationship.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
