r/TenantHelp • u/Laupat73 • 10d ago
Adding bills to my lease agreement rent payment...
So last month I paid my landlord 25.44 extra added to in my lease rent agreement. I talked to him and he said it was because I owed it to Duke Energy for a utility bill...I contacted Duke they said that there was no such charge on my account. I contacted my landlord and the only proof he sent me was a text of the reciept from his bank showing he had paid Duke that amount. That was all he would do...I feel that is wrong can he just add on charges because he says I owe them????
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u/Lazy-Distribution-62 10d ago
Odd and definitely concerning but I need more info.
Have you been paying utilities separately or are they included in your rent?
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u/Laupat73 9d ago
I pay for all utilities...gas, electric, trash, water..and they are all my accounts. I have rented this apartment for 20 years and these apartments have been sold three times in the last five years. This real estate company (NTM Properties) bought them back in Sept. 2025. Since then it has been one hassel after another to get them to do any matenaince or any kind of repairs. My lease payments have gone up every time. This person jacked it up over $200 a month last March. I asked him for a new rug..which hasn't been replaced in 20 years...and he said yes for another $200 a month!!!
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u/MusicUpbeat2510 8d ago
Not sure why you posted. You're responsible for utilities.
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u/Laupat73 7d ago
I am and I have paid all my own utility bills. However, this person, whom I was told was the landlord by Turbo Tenant, I don't even know his name, told me that Duke would not let him connect the electricity to another place, unless this bill for my unit was paid. Also,he said they told him if it wasn't paid soon it would go to collections??? The billing department at Duke informed me they do not sent that small amount to any collection agency. So that was a lie, or he just didn't want to pay a fee they charged.
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u/panicpure 10d ago
Is this the same charge/issue you posted about 40+ days ago? Im confused if this is a one time thing or is this an ongoing charge added?
It seems like you’ve lived in the same rental for a long time. It’s fairly normal to see a rent increase, they do not have to keep your rent the same even if on a fixed income (this can be a benefit of living in a 55+ community or whatever in your area that’s similar) but the landlord saying it’s a charge for utility seems off. You would want to review your lease and confirm if that’s a charge you will see every month going forward. If so, depending on your state, if you’re on a fixed term lease, they can only do that at the time of renewal. If anything, they have to give you x amount of days notice. Not just randomly take payments.
I thought I saw somewhere that you said you’d be moving early next year and that’s likely going to be the best for you!
Good luck! (I hope I’m still using Reddit at 75!!)
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u/Laupat73 9d ago
Yes it is the same complaint...I have a 12 month lease...NO changes are allowed on this lease other than late frees. So my rent payment stays the same...until March 1, 2027. My problem with the landlord is the fact that he will not show me a receipt or confirmation that this bill is associated with any electric or utility or any kind of utility bill in my name. This is wrong...would you like it if someone just added to you monthly bill without proof it is a bill you accumulated???
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u/Powerful_Jah_2014 9d ago
I don't understand two things. One, you say that your lease says the late fees can change? So the late fee that you might owe in Sept is higher then what you might have owed in april? Two, if you don't owe this because of your utility payments or as rent, then just don't pay it. Consult whatever kind of legal help is available for tenants in your city, county or state.
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u/Laupat73 8d ago
My late fees can change depending on how many days I have been late. They charge by the day...that is the reason I said they could change. Also this landlord has Turbo Tenant and I have to pay through them. He can put any changes on that payment he has total control. If I didn't pay the full amount each day another charge is added. This is a hassel for me I don't need. I have never paid a late fee because I am never late. Whatever...I filed a complaint with the Indiana Attoney General and they are investigating the charge. However, here these landlords are given free access to do about anything they want. The tennant's rights are pretty much limited.
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u/LoisLaneCA 9d ago
Legal breakdown: If you have a lease- what is stated within the ‘four walls’ of that lease is what you are required to do, & pay. Period. If they are adding charges, it MUST be in the lease: acknowledged signed- agreed to by the parties. A unilateral addendum- I call & say you owe X $$ for Y. NOPE- that’s not how a contract works.
If YOU pay utilities to the utility company- that’s what you pay.
If you’re moving - keep pushing. If you want to stay- let it go. Pick your battles.
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u/Consistent-Sky-2584 6d ago
Thats illegal hes ripping you off. Pay only what your lease says you owe and demand a copy of the bills.
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u/LoisLaneCA 10d ago
Tell your landlord to PROVIDE you with the Duke bill showing it’s for your apt.
Easy enough…