Landlord changed electric to gas in September told me yesterday

Landlord changed electric to gas in September told me yesterday

Lexington, KY · Member since 2017 · 3 posts · 0 votes

I received a phone call yesterday from the real estate company that manages our home.  She stated that I owed over $900 in gas bill and that it had not been transferred to my name. I explained that we have been in residence since July 2016 and never had gas.  She called the owner of the home and he told her that he had it changed over last year.  Apparently, the real estate company was not advised.  This means someone gained entry into my home with no notification and that no written notice of change of utlity from electric to gas heat was given since last year. That at this time, they have said they are sorry and that they will pay the over $900 in order for me to put the gas bill in my name and that they will give me 3mths to repay at over $300/mth plus rent of $950 plus gas deposit of $250 plus new bill for gas on top of all my other bills.  The lease states that I am responsible for all bills and to place in my name, however, no gas was in the residence at time of lease and for over 6mths a gas bill has been accruing that I could have dealt with easier with a small bill.  

I know that they violated the lease agreement and she also said that we have the choice to pay the bill or move.  I am moving in May for the summer to be with my spouse who is military at Tyndall and then moving back to Kentucky in fall for our childrens schooling.  Even if they were to agree to pay the $900, I would still have another bill plus deposit to pay for on top of all my bills.

What rights do I have? Can I request that the heat be switched back to electric? I have had issues with landlords past 4 times and I am up for getting a lawyer if need be. 

Thank you

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Rich N.Pro Member
Investor · Haverhill, MA · Member since 2015 · 761 posts · 328 votes
9y

were you still getting a high electric bill for the winter months ?

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  • Augusta, GA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    If changing over involved only heat access into the house was likely not required if you had an outside unit.  This would only require changing from your electric heat pump to a gas pack; done outside.  

    If the electric unit has been removed you can request it be switched back to electric.  They don't have to honor this request.

    Gail

  • Rich N.Pro Member
    Investor · Haverhill, MA · Member since 2015 · 761 posts · 328 votes
    9y

    were you still getting a high electric bill for the winter months ?

  • JD MartinBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
    9y

    You should probably move. Thoughts:

    1. If your heat went from electric to gas, you saved on the electric bill. It should more or less be a wash.

    2. You now (apparently) have a new, more efficient gas furnace at your rental house.

    3. If you have had issues with the past 4 landlords, I'd hazard your problem isn't just bad luck. 

    Skyline Properties
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  • Lexington, KY · Member since 2017 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    9y

    the rental company acknowledge the gas company came into the home to install the new one.

    They say theyou broke the lease.

    The past landlords  did several things. 2yrs without heat.. black mold covered ceiling walls. Ceiling caved in with insulation .they didn't fix. So after much deliberation we moved each time.

    I live in Lexington ky and are known for slum lords.

    I called tenant svc who said they had to give 30days written notice for that change due to krs statute.

    It's a pickle as we ate due to move summer and spend summer with spouse at Tyndall afb putting things in storage .. not sure how I would move as we would need only 3mths of housing before moving in August to another city where 3 of my 4 children attend college. 

    I didn't agree to gas and that's just another bill on top of what us as a military family paying for 2 homes' 2 utilities. 

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