How do we go about dealing with a highg utility bill that was our landlord’s fault?
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How do we go about dealing with a highg utility bill that was our landlord’s fault?
In July, the AC in my apartment stopped working. My landlord came over and said the issue was fixed until we got the electric bill last month. The bill was much higher than normal -$675. He checked the HVAC system again andfound another issue that he admittedly did not check previously. The problem was fixed but now we are stuck with a high bill. We asked the landlord if he would consider taking $425 off our rent next because the excess in the bill was due to the failure to fix the HVAC system right in the first place. He refused and said either he would take $100 off the rent or we would need to be out by the end of this month.
Asked on September 12, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Virginia
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
You need to carefully read your written lease (assuming you have one) in that its terms and conditions control the obligations owed to you by the landlord and vice versa in the absence of conflicting state law. Potentially there will be a provision in the lease referencing the landlord's obligation to make repairs on the unit in a timely and proper manner.
If so, you could make the argument that due to the landlord's failure to do so, your electrical bill was needlessly increased and as a result he or she should be responsible for the increase, not you.
If he refuses to pay the increase, a small claims action might be warranted. If the landlord tries to evict you as a result of the small claims court filing, you can claim he is retaliating against you as a defense to any eviction action.
Good luck.
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