Can my landlord force us to switch the utility bills to be under his name?

Question

I've lived in my apartment building for the last 3 years and all of the utility bills have been under my name. All of a sudden, my landlord wants to switch all of the utility bills under his name. He will be charging me the amount on all of the bills when they come in. What is the purpose of that? Why not keep it as it is? It makes no sense. I've never been late on my rent or any other bills. Not sure what he's up to.Is this legal? If anyone can help me out, I would greatly appreciate it.

Answer 1

In Cambridge MA (aka "People's Republic of Cambridge"), the utilities can charge any unpaid balance to the property owner. It can take several months before a utility bill becomes so overdue that it's turned off.



If this is the case in your municipality, the landlord may be trying to avoid large bills by keeping up on the utilities. If the tenant did not pay the utility (as per his/her lease) then the landlord could begin eviction.

Answer 2

Is it an appartment building where this owner owns the whole building? Or is it an individual who owns your unit and its technically a condo?



If it's an apartment building and he owns all the units it may be as others mentioned, he may be wanting to stay on top of it etc. etc. Use it for tax deductibles etc.



If it is an individual it could be for tax reasons, it could also be for a totally random and unpredictable reason, we've had owners for some of the properties we manage ask if they can keep one of the utility bills in their names because they use the address for their kids school or so they can attend that cities Boy and Girls Club because it's closer to their work. There may be an atvantage to having that address for getting car insurance, there may be a discount card for all the golf courses in the city if you are a resident, you may only be able to get a neighborhood parking pass to park in the area if you show proof of address. This of course is only plausible if his home address is a different zip code.



Have you asked him? I would first ask. Well not first, first I would look at the lease agreement, if it is a 1 year lease and not month to month he cannot ask you to change anything if not specified in the lease. If it is nwo month to month I would ask him point blank.



I would not resort to assuming it is something fishy if he has not set off any slime-ball alarms in your head over the last 3 years. Heck he could have gotten (maybe not even good) advice from an accountant, lawyer, property manager etc. I don't know if he is a professional landlord or not.



Refer to lease, and ask him why.

Answer 3

It could be that the municipality is requiring that the utilities are in the property owner's name rather than whoever actually lives there. Call the provider and ask.



Normally the landlord cannot change the lease until the current one expires. But in this case, the municpal ordinances may require that he do so mid-lease. That is probably a question for an attorney.

Answer 4

As a Landlord the last thing I want is any responsibility for utility bills.

This is a rip off.

Get legal advice

It might be time to move on.

Answer 5

That seems very strange to me. Why would he want the hassle of collecting utilities too. I wouldn't want to live anywhere and pay my landlord utility bills unless I saw mine. The only thing I can think of is what happened at one place I worked. I had a small back office and when the tenant upstairs moved out...large office...and he shut off the utilities...some of mine went out. And when his partner shut off his utilities...all of mine went out. It seemed the place was wired so that each tenant paid for the office electric. They demanded he make a reasonable return to them for what they had paid or they promised to sue him. I would contact the utility company first. I would also keep in mind that the landlord could be breaking your lease and give you an out to get out of there....but I have a hunch he would keep your deposit. And don't bother thinking about suing in small claims court...at least here if you win, there is no way to collect so you end up paying all the fees yourself. Not good....

I also had an interesting conversation with an idiot from one electric company. He told me that if a tenant skips out, I would have to pay. I told him he would have to tell that to my attorney. I can't be held responsible for the company not getting enough of a deposit or giving service to someone that skips out...and I still think any judge would agree with me. Since collecting utilities is such a hassle plus one takes the chance on someone skipping out on a large bill, it makes me wonder why your landlord wants to take this on. I can only think that he will be making some money out of it. Be very careful. I think its time to get out of there.

Answer 6

In my city (Seattle) that is required by law for water/sewer/garbage bills. They MUST be in the property owner's name. The city will not open an account in the tenant's name.



Why? The city got tired of tenants skipping out on their bills. It's far easier to collect from a property owner than a tenant who just bailed and moved 1500 miles away.

Answer 7

if you have a lease that does not include the utilities in the rent, he cannot do it, he cannot change the lease until it expires

since you have had the utilities in your name it means that each apt has its own connection, he may think combining all the utilities into one connection might save money, he probably will be able to get a better rate

Answer 8

Possibly he wants to charge you for a different type of fee. You cannot change them into his name that is possible a crime. Contact with all due speed the states attorney general of your state on the the request along with any housing agency. Hud may be a good agency to contact. Keep records and copies of everything even your past bills. He may be trying to pull you into a criminal act. Is this request in writing?

Answer 9

He is trying to rip you off and overcharge you for your utilities. Unfortunately, it's probably legal though not until you sign a new lease. If you are still in the middle of an existing lease I don't think he can make the change until it's time to renew and he needs to give you that change in writing.

Answer 10

contact the utility companies...........................you shall need to speak to a supervisor--dnt accept the word of any cust service rep..................thy are not trained on this

Answer 11

Sounds like he's been burned by deadbeat tenants with unpaid utility bills. They walk away, and he gets stuck. You pay him & he (makes sure) the utilities get paid.

Answer 12

He plans on using the amounts as deductions on his tax return.

Talk to the utility companies to see if he can force it.

Answer 13

He cannot change the terms of the lease until it's time for renewal!

Answer 14

Legal.

Answer 15

It is not legal mid-lease. However, when the lease expires or if you are on a month to month lease, he can require it.

Answer 16

He might be having troble with OTHER tenants not paying their bils, so changing his policy

Answer 17

He can do this, nothing illegal but he needs to show you the bills.

Answer 18

Say no to the fool or move out.

Answer 19

Does your lease say anything about it?



There would be no benefit (to you) for him doing so.

Answer 20

It doesn't sound legal to me.

Answer 21

why dont you ask him why he wants the change?



(And remember to check any claim he makes that somebody else is telling him he has to)

Answer 22

It could be going to new ownership.

Answer 23

Tell him NO, and let him sue.



IF he sues, THEN you can back off and agree

Answer 24

Probably yes, but why would he?