Upon move-in to my apartment almost three years ago, I was told by my realtor that hot water was included with my rental and I did not have to pay for it. I set up my electric bills just fine, but when I tried to register with National Grid online they said that they don't service my apartment. I thought that meant that there was no gas or individual unit meter in my apartment building so I didn't push it any further. I've had no issues with heating or hot water the entire time I have lived here.
Fast forward two years and I open a letter from National Grid, saying that if I don't register for an account with them then they may disconnect service. I was confused, because on their website they said they didn't service my apartment, and because I was told that hot water was included with my rental. I called National Grid and they said that nobody has paid for my unit's gas bill since 2020 (I moved in in 2022). I asked them how on earth they managed to not shut my gas off, to which they replied, "sometimes some places fall through the cracks, but now that you've told us, we do have to shut it off". And, I am now being told that I have almost three years of gas bills that I have to pay. My apartment management company was of course no help and blamed everything on the realtor and national grid (which they are right; it's not really their fault).
I really just wanted to ask if there is any way I can avoid having to pay for these gas bills that piled up because of National Grid's serious issues. I have accepted my fate and will survive if I have to pay them but I just thought I'd ask.
My realtor said hot water was included in my lease. After 2 years with no heat issues, I find out that nobody has paid my National Grid gas bill and my landlord says it's my fault?
byu/YogurtAnxious4101 inpersonalfinance
Posted by YogurtAnxious4101
13 Comments
It doesn’t matter what you were “told.” What does your signed lease say about this?
What does your lease say? Standard leases have a section for what utilities are included and which are your responsibility. I’d start there.
Even if it turns out that gas should have been your responsibility, you’re only going to owe for the gas used since your lease started. You’re obviously not responsible for that previous two years. However the utility company may not be willing to provide gas to the building until it is paid, which is ultimately your landlord’s problem.
It doesn’t matter what you were told, it matters what’s in your lease. Read it and if necessary find a local tenant union/advocate/lawyer that you can contact to help understand your lease and local tenant protections
What’s in writing for your lease?
Did you register an account with them now, or ever in the past?
I suppose it would be theft of services if you just moved out without paying it. đ
In addition to what’s already been said, you should be able to provide a copy of your lease to the utility company to show you aren’t responsible for the bill prior to you moving in. You can probably also set up a payment plan with them.
Let’s skip past what your realtor told you. What does your lease say about gas or utilities? If the lease that you signed says you’re responsible for the gas, then you are going to be held to paying that. Your argument at that time is between you and your realtor. But if you signed a lease that said you had to pay for the gas, then you signed a contract promising that you’d pay for the gas.
As for the gas bills before you moved in, that’s between the gas company and your property management/ownership.
If this is in the U.S. it might very much matter what you were told when it comes to your net outlay of $.
Yes, you most likely have to settle with the gas company for the time you were there; however realtors carry errors and omissions insurance for a reason.
The lease is what matters. Not what anyone âsaysâ.
Youre on the hook for this.
I am a landlord. My lease directs tenants to set up accounts with the appropriate utilities.
If youâve got text or email from realtor confirming gas is paid by the landlord, you likely have some avenue to help. They were acting as an agent for the landlord.Â
It doesnât matter what your realtor said.
This is between you, your landlord and National Grid. So what does your lease say? If nothing, then itâs not included.
A general word of life advice. Assume anything a realtor tells you is a lie.
Is your heat electric or gas? Because if itâs gas, that is going to be the bulk of the gas bill, not the water heater. My gas water heater usage is only about $30/mo.