In NJ, what is the law regarding responsibility for utilities in a 2 family rental without separate meters?

[trucker]

I am renting an apartment in a two family house but the heat and electric is not separated. We recently all agreed to pay percentages of the bill, but I heard that unless it is separate, the landlord is required to pay the utilities. It bothers me because I don't know exactly what I'm using and paying for. Anybody know the law in New Jersey?

[eilis]

Not that it helps, as I am unsure of the laws in NJ but the answerer above has it incorrect. Laws can (and sometimes do) dictate what utilities can be split. In Philadelphia it is illegal to have a tenant pay any portion of the natural gas bill if the unit is not on a separate meter. In an instance where there is no separate meter the landlord can charge a higher rent and include the cost of the utility in the rent price but he/she cannot charge a percentage of the bill based on the square footage/number of people living in/etc the unit.

Not that it answers your question, I just wanted to point out that occasionally the law does step in for these things as another answerer stated it does not.

[jarl]

Not that it helps, as I am unsure of the laws in NJ but the answerer above has it incorrect. Laws can (and sometimes do) dictate what utilities can be split. In Philadelphia it is illegal to have a tenant pay any portion of the natural gas bill if the unit is not on a separate meter. In an instance where there is no separate meter the landlord can charge a higher rent and include the cost of the utility in the rent price but he/she cannot charge a percentage of the bill based on the square footage/number of people living in/etc the unit.

Not that it answers your question, I just wanted to point out that occasionally the law does step in for these things as another answerer stated it does not.

Well if it has a separate entrance, kitchen and only one meter.
It was probably built as a mother-daughter house. You could try to have the utilities install separate meters. Otherwise you could divide the bills proportionately by square footage and approximate hours each one is home. And have it written into the lease. If it's not written in I don't think the landlord will be soley responsibale. It's kind of like saying police can't chase you across state lines, but they can

[kalvin71]

There are no laws in New Jersey, or any other state, defining how utilities are paid and/or split. Your rental agreement dictates the split.

Of course you can always approach the landlord about paying the utilities himself, but expect your rent to increase proportionately. Guess what ? You won't know what you're paying for THEN either, because you won't even get to SEE the utility bill.