Not using a dishwasher ok?

Question

I just moved into a condo, and told the landlord that I don't make enough dirty dishes to use the dishwasher. Big mistake. He wants me to run the dishwasher at least once a month to keep the thing from breaking and then having to pay the cost of repair. I said I don't want to do that because of the cost of electricity. Is it really necessary to periodically run a dishwasher?