Landlord will not let me put energy bill in my name. WHY??

Question

about 4 months ago, i rented a house.

Cable/Internet is in my name .i get a bill. i pay it.

Electric/Gas is NOT in my name. I pay it...after my landlord personally brings the OPENED bill over herself and demands money.

i want the Electric/Gas bill to be in MY name ,but first , as i understand, the landlord must first give the OK to the electric/gas company.

When i ask her to respectfully do so, she gets very angry and says "oh we can't do that right now sorry" and "hey , i'm saving you deposit fees!" i don't know much about her other than the fact that she owns 2 homes-the one she lives in, and the one i live in.

Do i have ANY rights here? Is there some huge tax break she is getting by doing this?

Answer 1

None of my tenants have the electric or gas in their name either.  Too many times have I had the utilities shut off because of my tenants.  This way, they get paid, stay on, and I charge the tenant.  If they dont pay, they get evicted and I can legally take it out of their security deposit.  If they owe me more than that deposit, we go to court.  There is no rule saying the utilities have to be in the tenant name and there is no rule saying the landlord has to live there to have the utilities in their name.  I have 15 properties and all utilities are in my name and my tenants pay them from an actual copy I send them.

Answer 2

She may still claim she lives there. Do you have a signed lease? Or are you living month to month.

Answer 3

There is nothing illegal or wrong with the utility set up as is.

In some areas the utility company can lien the property for non-payment. Also, with this set up, she knows if you are not paying your utility bill. She may simply be protecting herself and her property.

You are only paying for your own use.

Answer 4

Your landlord may want to insure that the utilities are on and that they are being paid for.

What does your lease say about it?

Answer 5

The best thing to do is RIGHT NOW get in touch with the housing authority in you City of State and at the same time get in touch with your City or County Attorney.  Give them all the total story and substantuate everything as clear as possible.  I believe she MUST concede.  Then I would look for someplace else (do not tell her until you find something) then give her notice.  Tell her very nicely you have tried to get along but she has NOT been quite helpful....