Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in New York

Roommates and Paying Utility BIlls

I am currently renting a house with 6 other roommates. When we receive bills we have been splitting them 7 ways. The gas and electricity bill were higher than my roommates expected, so now they think we should prorate the bill, so each person pays what they have used. This is impossible to calculate. They know that I like to have the heat on, and they want to stick me with the majority of the gas bill. The whole house is on one thermostat and I have not been unreasonable when I use the heat. It is usually set at 62 degrees. They don�t want to pay the whole bill. Is there anything I can legally do to either have us split the bill equally, or something I can do to get out of the lease?


Asked on 12/05/03, 7:49 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Andrew Nitzberg Andrew Nitzberg & Associates

Re: Roommates and Paying Utility BIlls

This cannot be fun for you. This is more of a people problem than a legal problem.

Clearly, the agreement when you moved in together was to split the expenses equally. This agreement cannot be changed without your approval.

If there is pressure on you and intense demands to pay the extra, then you can consider the roommates have broken their agreement to share the place with you and move out with 30 days notice. You will still be on the lease so far as the landlord is concerned, but this will likely have no practical consequences.

You are welcome to a consultation at no fee at my offices at 42 west 44th st., NY,NY. Please call for an appointment first. (646) 591-5786

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Answered on 12/06/03, 11:53 am


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