Suing Landlord for Paying Utilities on Another Property (renter, lawyer)

[rollcaller]

There is a guest house in the back of my rented house. My landlord claimed that the utilities were all separate. I recently found out that, not only are they not separate (and I've been paying for their power, water, trash/sewer), but that renter has been giving the landlord an additional $100/month to go towards their share of utilities. She just pockets it.

I also just found out that the guest house is being rented illegally, as it isn't registered.

When I confronted my landlord about the utility difference, she threatened me that she would raise my rent if I continued to complain about it.

Help?

[boston baked bean]

Call Boston Inspectional Services Dept or the local health dept if you live outside Boston and explain the situation. It's called crosswiring and is illegal. Your landlord cannot raise your rent as retaliation. That is also illegal.
You can also negotiate with your landlord for a reduced rent in exchange for agreeing to pay the utilities in the guest house and not reporting her but get the agreement in writing.

[boston baked bean]

Cross wiring and cross metering is illegal in most municipalities. As is raising rent in retaliation for reporting it.
You may be able to negotiate a deal with your landlord which includes a rent reduction for you. Best of luck!

[marumut]

i highly doubt that they live in Boston since they are posting on the los angeles forum. 1st, what city are you in? your city should have some inspection office that can take care of this suit. my city has a code enforcement division which would probably shut down your landlord and take her to court to most likely pay you back and possibly evict the renter in the guest house. 2nd, it is not cross wiring. most guest homes are wired and piped, but it's not like an illegal cross where they are "stealing" power and water from the main house's lines. its is just like having another room but outside your house. that house's power/water falls under the main house's meters if it doesn't already have its own, but i doubt it would. 3rd, what about your lease contract? does it specifically say that you have to pay for 1/2 of the utilities? if so then you can use it in court as long as you can prove that she is pocketing the extra $100. use the utility bills too. 4th, if you can't find help with your city's inspection service, then i suggest you talk to some sort of lawyer and even take the landlord to small claims court. i once got a landlord on tape saying that they will raise the rent. have the other renter testify on your behalf, and show that there is only 1 meter for the both and you have to split the costs of utilities. also show that she has been renting out the guest house illegally. just as a disclaimer, step 4 might not exactly work for you, so if u try it, its solely on you... best of luck.