Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Should I be paying utilities for low income renters

In my apartment building, there are a number of low income renters that get rent subsidies, as well as don't pay any utilities. The managment divides the water, trash and sewer bills among those of us not subsidised and expects us to pay the bills for all those that they cannot collect from. Is this legal, and how should they be doing this?


Asked on 10/14/03, 12:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: Should I be paying utilities for low income renters

It may not be fair, but I don't see why it isn't legal. Unless you live in a rent-control area, the landlord can usually set the rent any way he likes as long as the tenant is willing to pay and there is no illegal discrimination. Not being a subsidized, low-income renter is not a category protected by fair housing laws.

If you don't like it, see if you can get a better deal from another landlord and then tell your present landlord to match the deal or you will move. This is called competition and it is the American way.

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Answered on 10/14/03, 10:58 pm


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