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Can my landlord deduct utilities from my security deposit even though our lease states I'm not responsible for utilities?

Business 4 views 2 answers
-Signed a 6month lease set to expire in Feb. -lease states that tenant is not responsible for utilities - Landlord lives with tenant (tenant rents room in landlord's home) - Landlord informed tenant that if a spike is seen in water bill (after noticing tenant washing clothes) that this might affect how much of security deposit is returned Thank you for the prompt answers. I would like to update this situation and ask a follow-up question. I informed my landlord that if she went ahead and withheld a part of my security deposit that she would be in violation of the lease. My landlord then responded that if I wash more than a certain # of loads in the week before I move out that she would consider it excessive and potentially damaging to her washer/dryer. I have not washed anything since this conversation. This occurred earlier this morning since this morning my landlord has been running her washer/dryer without any clothes in them. What is my recourse in this situation? I am afraid that she is attempting to either block my use of the washer/dryer and/or give herself a better (though false) argument in terms of withholding my deposit by either damaging her own washer/dryer or causing her own bill to be excessive.

Attorney Answers

2
Shawn Alexander ·
The lease will govern the security deposit and if the lease states no responsability to tenant then the landlord may not deduct the amounts for utilities. If the landlord does deduct the amount and documents it properly or not you may go to small claims court and seek the statutory damages for breach of lease and violation of the Landlord Tenant act. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18.280 Good Luck
0 upvotes
Elizabeth Powell ·
It depends on what your lease agreement says. If the lease says the tenant is not responsible for any utilities, then that is that. Security deposits generally are to make sure the tenant honors their obligations pursuant to the lease agreement. That means the rent is paid, the place is not damaged, etc. It is not an opportunity for the landlord to get money for the utility bills if the lease agreement says the utilities are included. Best advice I can give you is don't take legal advice from your landlord. Hope this helps. Elizabeth Powell
0 upvotes

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