If the landlord failed to make a timely payment, the late fee must be subtracted from the tenant’s utility bill. If the tenant is being charged by the landlord for a metered utility (such as gas or electric), the landlord can only impose costs and fees that were charged to the landlord. Can a Landlord Charge a Tenant Late Fees for Unpaid Utilities? provide a copy of the water and/or sewer bill to the tenant.ĥ.have a written lease that states the tenant is required to pay the landlord directly and.Read the Regulations: COMAR 20.25.01.05(B)įor landlords of a building with only one or two dwelling units, they can charge tenants directly for water or sewer, but must: Maryland’s regulations set out a detailed breakdown of how to calculate the bill for each dwelling unit. This typically happens when the utility (gas, electric, or water) is on a master meter, and there are multiple dwelling units within a building. Landlords may charge tenants for utilities, as opposed to the utility company charging the tenant. Can a Landlord Charge a Tenant for Utilities? If you have already signed the lease, talk to an attorney to evaluate your situation and figure out who must pay for the utilities.Ĥ. The law does not provide any default liability as to who must pay (i.e., the law does not fill in the blanks if your lease is silent on this issue). If your lease does not include any terms about who is responsible for utilities, you should not sign or agree to the lease. The written lease agreement must include whether the landlord or tenant is responsible for paying for the utilities. Written leases are required for any lease that is 12 months or longer or for any landlord who rents out five or more dwelling units in Maryland. A lease may be written or oral, but in some instances a written lease agreement is required. The lease agreement determines who is responsible for paying for the utilities. Landlords must provide access to basic utilities, not necessarily pay for utilities. Who is Responsible for Paying for Utilities? Air conditioning, cable TV, and the internet are not required utilities for the landlord to provide access to, but it is common that they do. Maryland requires landlords to provide access to heat, light, electricity, hot/cold running water, and adequate sewage disposal. This is known as the implied warrant of habitability and ensures tenants the right to a dwelling that meets basic living standards. Landlords must provide a safe and habitable dwelling for their tenants. Basic utilities do not include cable TV, internet, or homeowners’ association (HOA) fees unless a utility, such as water or trash collection, is part of the HOA fee.Ģ. These include electricity, gas, water/sewage disposal, and trash collection. Utilities are essential services necessary to make a dwelling livable. Can Utility Company Terminate Tenant’s Service During Extreme Heat or Cold?.Can Landlord Use Tenant’s Security Deposit for Overdue Utility Bills?.Does Tenant Have the Right to a Single Meter in a Multi-Unit Building?.Can Tenant Set Up Own Utilities Account if Landlord Refuses to Pay Utilities Agreed Upon?.Can Tenant Withhold Rent if Utilities are Not Paid For/Shut Off?.Is the Landlord Allowed to Shut Off Tenant’s Utilities?.Who Pays the Deposit With the Utility Company for a New Account?.If Tenant is Responsible for Paying Utilities, Does Tenant Have To Give the Landlord Account Information?.Can a Landlord Charge a Tenant Late Fees for Unpaid Utilities?.Can a Landlord Charge a Tenant for Utilities?.Who is Responsible for Paying for Utilities?.What Utilities Must a Landlord Provide?.
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