I rent an apartment that is shared by 3 other people. We each have our own room and restroom and share a common area that consists of a living room and kitchen. The rent covers electricity up to a certain amount. The contract says $35.00 PER BEDROOM/COMMON AREA (INCLUDED IN CONTRACT RATE). The landlord says that this is $140 and charges renters for going over this amount. I believe that it would be $140 for the individual rooms, but there would be another $35 for the common area but I want to know if this would be a correct assessment.

I can see where you might feel the way you do. But what the lease is really saying is $35 per tenant, not per room.