Full question:
Does an apartment community that has 30 units in each building have the right to charge the tenants for water and gas if the apartments are not metered seperately? The apartments have no gas appliances and are heated with electricity not gas.
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Date:
- State: Iowa
Answer:
According to Iowa law, landlords must provide essential services, including running water and reasonable amounts of hot water, as well as reasonable heat (Iowa Code § 562A.15). If the apartments are not separately metered, the landlord may still charge tenants for water, but this must be clearly stated in the rental agreement. Since the apartments do not have gas appliances and are heated with electricity, the landlord cannot charge for gas.
If the landlord fails to provide these essential services, tenants have the right to take action. They can give written notice to the landlord about the breach and may be able to deduct costs for essential services they procure themselves from their rent (Iowa Code § 562A.23).
For specific situations or disputes, tenants may want to consult a legal professional for advice tailored to their circumstances.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.