Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Can a landlord begin to charge for utilities after lease renewal is signed?
I signed the renewal of my lease in October and the renewal states that there are no changes at all; the only change is the extension of the date (6 more months).

My original says that water, trash and sewer were included; I paid for gas, electricity, etc.

After I signed my renewal I received a general letter (not directed to me only) that stated that were going to start paying for water, trash and sewer when the lease was up.

I just received a bill for these 3 utilities totaling 60 DOLLARS (which seems rather high for two people in a one bedroom apt. with no washing machine [for clothes]).

The landlady says that the letter was my 30 day notice of the change. They have no amendment signed by me that says I agree to the new charges or anything of the sort.

Is this legal? Are they in their right just to amend that way? Also, I'm pretty sure that when the lease is up they'll raise the rent another 20 or 30 dls per/mo. That�s a pretty steep increase do you think?

Asked on 1/14/05, 2:08 pm

Ken Koenen Koenen & Tokunaga, P.C.

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Re: Can a landlord begin to charge for utilities after lease renewal is signed?

They cannot change the terms of the lease until the lease expires.

Answered on 1/14/05, 2:28 pm

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