Utility fee added in addition to monthly rent

[Kolleen]

My boyfriend and I have lived in an apartment in Erie, Pennsylvania for about 3 years.

We signed a new lease each year

The terms of the lease indicate that as the tenant I am responsible for the upkeep to the apartment including gas, electric phone ect.

The land lord is responsible for water/sewer/garbage as well as maintence

In turn, the tenant pays rent which can be adjusted "reasonably" depending on increase in costs for the land lord.

Some upkeep has been needed like unclogging drains and such.

So on to the problem

I signed a lease on December 1, 2007 and on December 12, 2007 I got a notice that due to increase water bills (400 dollars over one quarter for a whole building = aprox 16 people)for the land lord he is going to tack on a Utility Fee of 20 dollars per person, including children.

This fee is separate from the rent and is not mentioned on our lease at all.

On the invoice our land lord sent us it lists

rent 375

Utility fee 20 dollars

Again the lease says the land lord is responsible for the water bill

Even though there is mention of reasonable adjustments can a land lord legally do this?

What does reasonable mean legally?

 

[Cvillecpm]

Write a nice letter to your landlord and advise him/her that since the new lease has been signed that their attempt to gain an additional $20 per person is not lawful (don't say illegal) and that you will not be paying it.

If you do have children in the unit with you and BF, if your landlord takes any action to collect the additional $20, file a fair housing complaint based on familial status....check your state on the www.fairhousing.com website for agencies who will help with filing this complaint.