Hi,
I live in a four-plex apartment building in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In addition to the rent that my wife and I pay, we also pay for the electricity. Attached to the back of our building is a small room that holds a washer and dryer that everyone in the building uses (approx. eight people). Nowhere in my lease does it state who pays for the electricity for the washer and dryer. The room that holds them is directly attached to my apartment. This leads me to believe that I am the one paying for them. That, and the fact that there are four meters and breaker boxes (one for each apartment), yet mine is the only one with a breaker for the washer and the dryer. This building was built in the 40s and has many problems and old fixtures. As a result, my landlord blames every problem on "it being an old building". He says that one apartment is wired to pay for the washer, one to pay for the dryer, one for the water heater, and one for the interior and exterior common area lights (of which most don't work). I don't believe that this old building would have that sophisticated wiring. Not to mention that every breaker box has a breaker for the water heater. What are my rights? I strongly believe that my landlord is being dishonest. I have a consistently higher electricity bill than do the other tenants and I believe that I am being mistreated. Can I withhold rent until this is straightened out? My lease is up at the end of May, and this is the last rent payment I will make. Please help me ASAP. Where can I look for legal code to cite to them?:confused:

Truthfully the electricity to run a washer and dryer isn't that expensive. Maybe if you talk to the other tenants and can show that you have paid for the washer and dryer they will contribute some back pay? Just an idea. Talk to the landlord and ask them why you are the only one with the breaker for the washer and dryer. Tell them you want reimbursement for the payment of everyone's washing and drying. I am guessing you are not signing a new lease?

You would have to get an electrician to trace down the wiring. You can't go by labels on the breaker boxes. Since you lease is up and you are moving, why bother going through all this.

Chalk it up to experience and use it when you get your next apartment.