Forgotten Utilities

[Babyblue1957]

My landlord forgot to ask for utilities for 19 months. I thought I was paying utilities because I was paying $160 over the base rental price and have 2 cats.. They want the money immediately and I cannot pay it all at once. I rent a basement suite and am to pay 33%. It is a 3 bedroom house, 2 bedroom basement suite. I live alone. The utilities have been over $500 on several occasions as I review the bills they have given me. Any ideas on this?

 

[Thomas Beyer]

Not as clear ie potential you owe nothing as landlord bears significant responsibility to collect full rent. Assuming they were sloppy and did not remind you, you would have a good case that you owe them nothing !

Take it to the landlord tenant board and they will likely side with you. What province is this ?

 

[Matt Crowley]

19 months late sounds like you have a case to expect things to continue as they were. You have a right as a tenant to rely on past actions of the landlord. I would suggest reaching out to the LL board and if necessary tell the landlord you are willing to go to mediation to resolve it. There is a good chance you will win this.

 

[Meghna]

Thanks for your cooperation.

 

[John Cox]

If those terms are not set out in the rental contract then the assumption is that the landlord will pay the utilities. Reread your lease/rental contract.