Landlord using my electricy for his own private use. (lease, landscaping)

[CERHAS]

Landord has been using my family members electricy while they are at work so he can fix up the unajoined property. When asked if there would be some kind of deduction in rent or repayment of electicity he told her no it was his property and he could do whatever he wanted. My family member pays electricy separate from rent to the city. Plus he goes into their side yard and uses my family members personal landscaping tools. Also states he can do whatever he wants he owns the property. They are affraid he will retailiate by making them move if they take this any farther. What could they do to protect themselves?

[Stacey27520]

They could lock up their yard tools. They could also access the breaker controlling the exterior outlet and cut that off during the day.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by CERHAS

Landord has been using my family members electricy while they are at work so he can fix up the unajoined property. When asked if there would be some kind of deduction in rent or repayment of electicity he told her no it was his property and he could do whatever he wanted. My family member pays electricy separate from rent to the city. Plus he goes into their side yard and uses my family members personal landscaping tools. Also states he can do whatever he wants he owns the property. They are affraid he will retailiate by making them move if they take this any farther. What could they do to protect themselves?

What does the lease say? Is there anything in it that says the landlord has the right to access their electricity for repairs or maintenance?

Which city in California does your relative live in? Some cities have housing offices that answer questions like this.

[Ultrarunner]

It depends on the lease and must be spelled out.

If the lease is silent anything but incidental use is theft.

I managed a duplex years ago that had a single "Yard" light... it was a 18W florescent and powered by the tenants meter... nothing was in the lease about it.

When all was said and done the owner had to install a third electric "House" meter for a single outdoor yard light that used less than a few cents per night power.

You are right in that the Landlord could very well become angry... but people get mad all the time.

Calculate a fair estimate for electricity used and bill him would be one way.

As mentioned above... turning off the breaker serving the outlet used might be another.

[adr3naline]

I've been in this situation twice. First was water usage for landscaping project (cost me an extra ~$10...I didn't bother). And the other was a renovation project where the landlord used ~$75 in electricity over two months. Being I was in college for the 2nd situation, with limited budget, I approached the landlord and he said to submit next month's rent check less the $75. No biggie.

Having said that, I have a hard time believing the landlord is actually saying what your family is telling you. This is really Landlord 101 stuff--if you use a utilities to support other tenants, you offer a concession or reimbursement.

So if I were you, I'd compare last month's bill to the offending month, and see what the difference is. If negligible, who cares. If sizeable, your family has materials to support their argument.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by adr3naline

I've been in this situation twice. First was water usage for landscaping project (cost me an extra ~$10...I didn't bother). And the other was a renovation project where the landlord used ~$75 in electricity over two months. Being I was in college for the 2nd situation, with limited budget, I approached the landlord and he said to submit next month's rent check less the $75. No biggie.

Having said that, I have a hard time believing the landlord is actually saying what your family is telling you. This is really Landlord 101 stuff--if you use a utilities to support other tenants, you offer a concession or reimbursement.

So if I were you, I'd compare last month's bill to the offending month, and see what the difference is. If negligible, who cares. If sizeable, your family has materials to support their argument.

This is really good advice, adr3naline.

[Lovehound]

'Runner is always right.