If I currently live in a house converted into 2 seperate units, do I have the right to receive a separate bill for my unit only?
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If I currently live in a house converted into 2 seperate units, do I have the right to receive a separate bill for my unit only?
I just receive my first water bill and learned that I was billed for the entire household (both units). The landlord seems to think it is OK that this was not disclosed and we (tenants) can simiply split the bill 50/50. I prefer to be billed per usage. Is it legal to be forced into this type of situation?
Asked on October 1, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Under most municipalities' local ordinances when there is a duplex as in your situation local code mandates separate utility meters for each init to avoid the very problem that you are writing about. Namely, a situation where one person in one unit uses more electricty (for example) than the person in the other unit and the bill is split equally.
If the landlord will not install separate meters, then the option is for the landlord to have charged each tenant a flat fee per month and the landlord pays the utilities for the units.
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