Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

I rent a room in a house with 3 other tenants for the past year our electricty bill has been between $200.00 -$250.00. A new roommate moved in with an aquarium business and does not turn off any electrical appliances in room. The past two months he has lived here our bill has been $900.00 and $1200.00, our rental agreement says we split utilities 4 ways. Why am I responsible for his business and electrical use? When I signed lease and moved in this was not an issue, we were not asked about no longer having space in the garage, the house full of stuff and a ton of ponds and aquariums with grow lights that stink so bad you can barely step in the backyard. Do I have any options other than to move?


Asked on 9/02/11, 9:59 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
George Shers Law Offices of Georges H. Shers

Most areas with single family houses do not allow businesses to be in that area; check what the zoning restricts are. After speaking with the two other roommates, have a discussion with all the roommates and the landlord. Obviously the agreement to split the bills equally was based upon the belief that everyone would roughly use the same amount of electricity. You have clear evidence of how much more the new roommate is using and he should have to pay that difference. He also should not occupy more than a fair share of the space.

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Answered on 9/02/11, 10:58 pm


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