Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California
Shared Utilities
I was wondering if it was legal for the landlord to charge the tenants for the outside electric, water, and gas. We also pay for our own electric in our units. But each month we get a bill for the rent and then a bill for the utilities. I also wanted to know if it was legal to charge a $150.00 late charge of rent?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Shared Utilities
Typically, residential leases do not call for tenants to pay for common area utilities such as grounds lighting, water, etc. I'm assuming yours is a residential tenancy. If it is commercial, then you can expect to pay ''cam'' charges, or common area maintenance.
Your $150.00 late fee sounds excessive, but I do not know by your post what your rent is. Typically, a late charge is 5 to 10% of the rent. If your rent is $1,150.00, then a $150.00 late charge is not out of line, provided the lease calls for a 10% charge. Good luck.
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