Q: Do I have to pay for gas when it wasn't specified as a utility that is my responsibility in the lease?
I recently moved into a new home that I am renting from a company. When I transferred over the energy bill to my name I assumed it would only be for electricity since in my lease it stipulates that "The following utilities will be the responsibility of the Tenant: electricity, water, internet, cable." However, when I received my bill I noticed that I was also charged for gas by the same company that serves our electricity. When I asked my landlord about this, I received this response:
"Your <energy company>'s account covers both electric and natural gas services. While your unit has an electric stove, the HVAC system and water heater are powered by natural gas. As a tenant, you’re responsible for the gas usage associated with HVAC and hot water, which are billed based on your consumption via <energy company>."
This feels like it's outside the scope of my lease since they only specified electricity, but I wasn't sure since it is all billed through the same energy provider.
A:
Take a close look at the other clauses in your lease. There is likely to be some caveat that covers this situation for the landlord. Unless it is an outrageous amount that renders you unable to live in the unit comfortably, it may not be worth the price of an attorney to fight over the gas charge if it is the case you are using the gas for utility services.
You may want to have a conversation with your landlord if you haven't already, and add an addendum to your lease regarding gas services, with the estimated average amount you pay over and above the electricity bill. This information is likely found on the bill. Ask the landlord to provide you with copies of the bill if they do not come to the property to get this information.
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