Landlord and Co-Tenant Problems

By Tom

I signed a one year lease with another person.  Approximately 4 to 5 months into our lease, we were not getting along – she was allowing family members to live in the one bedroom apartment and they did not contribute to any of the bills.  I move out for a few days to figure out what to do.  I then received text messages from her saying she would have me arrested if I were to go to the apartment.  She then let her boyfriend and son move into the apartment.  I went to the landlaord and she said "you both signed the lease, she still occupies the apartment so there was nothing she could do and I would be responsible to pay rent" and she asked me for $96.72 to cover gas usage for the apartment.

I went to talk to the landlord again 4 months later to get an update – the landlord informed me they still lived in the apartment, have not paid rent since April and she remined me my name was still on the lease so I was responsible.  She gave me copies of the rent invoice covering May thru August.  On each invoice there were added charges for 1) base energy charge, 2 )domestic hot water, 3) space heating charge and 4) admin fee.

After looking over these invoice, I emailed the landlord and asked for an explaination for the additional charges.  Water is included in the rent and I paid the electric company directly so why am I being charged a "Space Heating Charge".

The landlord will not respond to emails or faxes and (to my knowledge) is still allowing three people to live in the one bedroom apartment although they have not paid rent since April.

Any advise would be appreciated.

Thank you

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