Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: Utilities

They cannot charge you for utilities until your lease is up. If they want you to put electricity for your unit in your name, that is fine, but you can deduct from your rent any utility costs through the termination of your lease.

After that, you either negotiate a new lease, pay month to month, including your own utilities, or move to a new place.

Re: Utilities

Thank you for your inquiry.

Your question implies that you are engaged in something more than a month to month lease. As such, the management company cannot unilaterally modify the terms of your lease and start charging you for utilities until your lease term expires. If they do so, they are violating the terms of your lease.

Unfortunately, you are not entitled to renew your lease "as is" once it expires. You may request the same lease, or must negotiate new terms.

Good Luck to you.

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Re: Utilities

Any change in a month to month tenancy requires at least 30 day notice. In fact, as of 2002, if that amount is over 10 %, there must be at least 60 days notice.