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I've been living here for 6 months, and the rental agreement was that i pay $1400 a month, it says this on my lease. I always pay my rent on time every month, but now the landlord sent me an email yesterday telling me to start paying rent through a different site. In the email she sent me, she also says that i owe an extra $75 for trash collection fees of the last 6 months, but there are no late fees associated to my account. I don't understand this. My lease says that trash collection is included in my $1400 rent, now shes trying to claim $75 extra, and also wrote in the email that my rent will be $1415 a month instead of $1400, because trash collection is a $15.00 monthly fee starting march. I've texted her asking why didn't she send me texts, calls or emails telling me that my account has been carrying a balance of $75 if its been 6 months?! She replies and lies in the text saying that shes sent letters to my apartment. I've never received any letters from her! If what shes saying is true, how come she didn't give me a follow up call to ask if i received her letters? Is what shes doing is legal?
Please, I'd like to know whats the best way to handle this situation. Thanks
Trash is the only utility that is included in my rent monthly it says on my lease. The other utilities water, cable, landscaping and electric are in my name seperately. The only thing that the landlord pays for is sewer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrRational
Does the lease describe any other utility expenses you have to pay?
You only have to pay what the lease document specifies. If trash service is included, and specifically specified as such, in the lease, then point that out to LL in your next email. Same for the $15 rent increase. LL can't impose those fees on you if they are not spelled out in the lease.
If the LL still presses the fees/increase on you, then tell LL that you'll take your chances in court and let a judge decide. I doubt they will push it much further.
Unless you have been putting too much trash out. Our local collection service charges a very hefty fee if there is too much trash in the bin for the top to close completely. If the top is open even an inch, there is a large charge for over-filled bin.
If trash service is included, that does not mean unlimited trash. So if the landlord has been billed for extra, you actually do owe the extra charges.
Or there might be an extra fee for recycle, or a fine for not recycling.
She hasn't mentioned anything to me about too much trash. My bin is never overfilled. Im saying that she's now claiming that i owe $75 in unpayed fees which accumulated over the five months of which would be $15/month trash collection. This is a new charge that she never gave me notice about til now and ive been living here for 6 months. No texts, calls or emails. If this was an extra fee for recycling, she hasn't said anything. She keeps sending me 1 sentence text messages over these questions and doesn't pick up the one when i call. She clearly doesn't like to speak.
Quote:
Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke
Unless you have been putting too much trash out. Our local collection service charges a very hefty fee if there is too much trash in the bin for the top to close completely. If the top is open even an inch, there is a large charge for over-filled bin.
If trash service is included, that does not mean unlimited trash. So if the landlord has been billed for extra, you actually do owe the extra charges.
Or there might be an extra fee for recycle, or a fine for not recycling.
Unless you have been putting too much trash out. Our local collection service charges a very hefty fee if there is too much trash in the bin for the top to close completely. If the top is open even an inch, there is a large charge for over-filled bin.
If trash service is included, that does not mean unlimited trash. So if the landlord has been billed for extra, you actually do owe the extra charges.
Or there might be an extra fee for recycle, or a fine for not recycling.
But the lease needs to mention that there is an 'overage' fee that can be accrued. They can't just out of the blue demand more money for an included utility.
OP: as long as your lease states that trash is included and there isn't a mention of an 'overage fee', tell your landlord you will not be paying extra for the included service. If she wants to sue, let her. Your lease is clear about what you're supposed to pay.
She hasn't mentioned anything to me about too much trash. My bin is never overfilled. Im saying that she's now claiming that i owe $75 in unpayed fees which accumulated over the five months of which would be $15/month trash collection. This is a new charge that she never gave me notice about til now and ive been living here for 6 months. No texts, calls or emails. If this was an extra fee for recycling, she hasn't said anything. She keeps sending me 1 sentence text messages over these questions and doesn't pick up the one when i call. She clearly doesn't like to speak.
Make a copy of your lease and send it to her by snail mail (return receipt). Maybe she has no idea what her lease says...highlight the rental amount as well as the section that says trash is included.
Include a note telling her that this is the agreement you both agreed to, and you're not paying any more, and by law she can't change that agreement on a whim. If she chooses to sue you, and she won't, your lease is all the documentation you need.
She can't charge you retroactively for a fee she decides that you need to pay for afterwards. I mean she can, but only a sucker would pay for it. It you have a 6 month lease she can add the fee and a rent increase to the new lease, otherwise I would suggest you pay what the original lease says and move when you lease is up because the LL is trouble.
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