• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

CALLING AT Bar Association HELP NEEDED!

thespeakerbox

thespeakerbox

Platinum Member
So i've been wondering why my gas bill has been so high this winter (600) everyone other month. I called up the gas company and they sent over an investigator. It's turns out that i have an ancient 17,500 boiler that wastes alot of gas firing up a <1000 sq ft apartment. But thats no biggie. It turns out im actually paying for the hot water as well. However, its clearly outlined, in my lease, that the landlord will pay for hot water.

What steps to i take now? He's been really creepy ever since we've moved it. Can we use this violation of the lease to help us get out earlier? Who do i report it to? Do i take him to court? Do i write him a letter first? I need some advice. Thanks.
 
Originally posted by: thespeakerbox
So i've been wondering why my gas bill has been so high this winter (600) everyone other month. I called up the gas company and they sent over an investigator. It's turns out that i have an ancient 17,500 boiler that wastes alot of gas firing up a <1000 sq ft apartment. But thats no biggie. It turns out im actually paying for the hot water as well. However, its clearly outlined, in my lease, that the landlord will pay for hot water.

What steps to i take now? He's been really creepy ever since we've moved it. Can we use this violation of the lease to help us get out earlier? Who do i report it to? Do i take him to court? Do i write him a letter first? I need some advice. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Is your apartment rent-stabalized thespeakerbox?
 
Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
Originally posted by: thespeakerbox
So i've been wondering why my gas bill has been so high this winter (600) everyone other month. I called up the gas company and they sent over an investigator. It's turns out that i have an ancient 17,500 boiler that wastes alot of gas firing up a <1000 sq ft apartment. But thats no biggie. It turns out im actually paying for the hot water as well. However, its clearly outlined, in my lease, that the landlord will pay for hot water.

What steps to i take now? He's been really creepy ever since we've moved it. Can we use this violation of the lease to help us get out earlier? Who do i report it to? Do i take him to court? Do i write him a letter first? I need some advice. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Is your apartment rent-stabalized thespeakerbox?
Click to expand...



Nope.
 
First thing to do is get a letter in writing from the inspector which says that you are in fact paying for hot water (or the gas which heats the water). Then, send a letter to the landlord with the written statement attached requesting a refund of money you have paid toward hot water usage. Make sure you have your stuff squared away (no lease violations on your part) in case it gets ugly.

The hard part is going to be proving how much of the gas bill is for hot water. You could see if the inspector can get that for you. If you do go to small claims court, you need to have PROOF (not conjecture) of how much you are owed. Small claims court is pretty easy -- about $50 to file and then you show up in front of a magistrate judge. I did it once, and it was kind of fun (I didn't win, but neither did they on the counterclaim -- so we broke our lease early with no penalty).

The vast majority of landlords suck.
 
Originally posted by: thespeakerbox
Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
Originally posted by: thespeakerbox
So i've been wondering why my gas bill has been so high this winter (600) everyone other month. I called up the gas company and they sent over an investigator. It's turns out that i have an ancient 17,500 boiler that wastes alot of gas firing up a <1000 sq ft apartment. But thats no biggie. It turns out im actually paying for the hot water as well. However, its clearly outlined, in my lease, that the landlord will pay for hot water.

What steps to i take now? He's been really creepy ever since we've moved it. Can we use this violation of the lease to help us get out earlier? Who do i report it to? Do i take him to court? Do i write him a letter first? I need some advice. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Is your apartment rent-stabalized thespeakerbox?
Click to expand...

Nope.
Click to expand...

That sucks! Listen to AndrewR's suggestions then. 🙂

 
Since it's in your agreement that he'll pay water and turns out you have been, inquire with the city for how much the water has been over the months you've been using it, then simply subtract that amount from your next month's pay to the land lord. Write a formal letter informing the landlord of your discovery and confirmation with the city's water department, include copies of the water department's determination of the bill for which you are decreasing payment to him, and inform him that all subsequent payments to him for rent will need to be adjusted to reflect the agreement stating that he pays for water.
 
Dude, your landlord is busted. Do your research, then send the certified letter with your demands. That way, if he tries to evict you, he's more busted. By doing research I mean two things--the tenancy laws in your state (so you can see how busted he is), and the actual amount he owes you plus compound interest. Situations like this can generally be handled by the Consumer Prot. Agency at the state level, but sometimes they are total landlord pawns, so be prepared to go to court.
 
Originally posted by: Kaieye
Right, and most tenants are angels...
Click to expand...



exactly. too many scum tenants think all landlords are slumlords

tenants leave holes in the walls, torn up carpet, cracked windows, nasty stench, and scratched up wooden floors and wonder why the landlord keeps the deposit

have at it, boys!

/whips out lawnchair and beer, sits back
 
Ok. How about this one? Go to his house and stand outside his living room window. Pull down your pants, bend over and spread your cheeks and yell

"Do you want to fvck me? Come on, come on! You've been fvcking me on the hot water! Come on!"
 
Before you do anything, locate your states Landlord - Tenant laws and read them thoroughly. You will learn some butt-saving information. For example, some states require new water heaters be installed every X number of years. If yours is older and it should have been replaced, this is another issue you can bring up.
 
Originally posted by: Nik
Since it's in your agreement that he'll pay water and turns out you have been, inquire with the city for how much the water has been over the months you've been using it, then simply subtract that amount from your next month's pay to the land lord. Write a formal letter informing the landlord of your discovery and confirmation with the city's water department, include copies of the water department's determination of the bill for which you are decreasing payment to him, and inform him that all subsequent payments to him for rent will need to be adjusted to reflect the agreement stating that he pays for water.
Click to expand...

He's saying the landlord is supposed to pay for HOT water, meaning he'd be owed for the gas used to heat the water. Of course it's impossible to determine how much gas that was. It's strange that the landlord would put that in the lease knowing that it's hooked up to the tenant's gas line...

OP, why don't you contact your landlord and ask him what the deal is?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top