[lkorce]

Hi,

My current roommate is a sublessor from my previous roommate. The sublease contract was agreed to and signed by my previous roommate, or sublessee, (who remains on the parent lease), the landlords, myself and my current roommate (the sublessor). In the sublease contract it clearly states that the subleasee is responsible for payment of 1/2 of the amount of utilities.

My current roommate / sublessor is going on vacation from Dec 10th to Jan 12th. She is paying her share of the rent, and I have agreed to pay the full amount of the internet bill, since she will not be here to use it. She is NOT moving out during that month or subleasing the room; her belongings will remain here in her room, office and storage.

I have a strong feeling she is going to try to not pay for water, oil and electric bills (utilities) for the time she is gone (roughly a month), and I do not think this is fair or legal; why should I be stuck paying the full utility bills when she is not moving out, but going on vacation? (I have gone on vacation and not asked for reductions in utility bills, and will be gone for roughly a week for the holiday as well. Also, the heat and electric have to remain on because of water pipes freezing, and also for the refrigerator for food).

Besides giving her the reasons this is not fair to me, and pointing her attention to the sublease contract, what other legal basis do I have to make sure she pays her half/share of the utilities while she is on vacation? I do understand her possible point that she will not be here, why should she pay, but why would that be fair to me, punishment for her vacation?

I appreciate all your help, and I live in Vermont for specifics on VT law if needed.

[Fr_Chuck]

Rent and utilities continue even while on vacation, in the hospital or just not home for any reason. A written lease or rental agreement unless it gives reasons not to, would still be in force.