What utilities you pay depends on your lease and local law, not on what seems fair
Your lease or a separate addendum lists which utilities you pay for. In most apartments, you pay for electricity, gas, water, sewer, and trash removal — but not always all of them. Some landlords cover water and sewer because the building has one meter and they bill tenants a flat fee. Others cover nothing but the building structure itself. A few cover heat in winter because it's required by state law. The only way to know for certain is to read what you signed or call your landlord and ask for a written list.
If your lease does not specify, your state's tenant law fills in the gap. Some states say landlords must provide heat and hot water no matter what the lease says. Others say utilities are the tenant's responsibility unless the lease explicitly says otherwise. A few states require landlords to pay for water because it is considered essential. You can find your state's rule through your state attorney general's office or a local legal aid organization.
Key Takeaways
- Your lease document lists which utilities you pay for; if it does not say, your state's tenant law decides.
- Electricity, gas, and trash are almost always tenant-paid, but water, sewer, and heat vary widely by lease and location.
- If your landlord pays for a utility, they may charge you a flat fee each month instead of splitting the actual bill.
- Some utilities like internet and phone are never the landlord's responsibility — you arrange and pay for those yourself.
- If your lease is unclear or your state requires a utility but your lease says you pay, contact your local housing authority or legal aid for guidance.
Utilities you almost always pay for yourself
Electricity is your responsibility in nearly every apartment. You contact the electric company, set up an account in your name, and receive a bill monthly. The landlord does not appear on the account. If the building has a master meter and the landlord bills you a flat amount, that is still your cost — you just pay the landlord instead of the utility company directly.
Gas for heating, cooking, or hot water follows the same pattern as electricity. You set up the account, you pay the bill. In some buildings, the landlord covers gas for heat because state law requires it, but you still pay for gas you use beyond heating — for example, a gas stove. Read your lease carefully to see whether heat is included or whether you pay for all gas.
Trash and recycling removal is almost always your cost, though the landlord may arrange the service and bill you a monthly fee. Some buildings include trash in the rent; if yours does, your lease will say so explicitly. If you are unsure, ask before you sign.
Utilities that vary by lease and state law
Water and sewer are the most unpredictable. In some states, landlords must provide water because it is considered essential to habitability. In others, tenants pay. Many landlords cover water because the building has one meter and splitting individual usage is impractical; instead, they charge all tenants a flat monthly fee. A few apartments have individual water meters, in which case you may pay the water company directly or pay the landlord a bill based on your meter reading.
Heat is required by law in most cold-weather states during winter months — typically November through April, though dates vary. If your state requires heat, your landlord must provide it at no cost to you, even if your lease says otherwise. Some leases also include heat voluntarily. If your lease does not mention heat and your state does not require it, you may be responsible for paying for your own space heater or portable heating, which is unusual but possible in some rental markets.
Hot water is required by law in many states and is considered part of basic habitability. Some leases include it; others do not. If your state requires it, your landlord pays. If your state does not require it and your lease does not mention it, ask your landlord in writing whether you are responsible for the cost of heating water.
Utilities you never pay to the landlord
Internet and phone service are always your own responsibility. You choose a provider, sign a contract with them, and pay them directly. A landlord may prohibit certain providers or require you to use a building-wide system, but you still pay the service provider, not the landlord. Some newer buildings include internet in the rent as a marketing feature; if yours does, the lease will state it clearly.
Cable and streaming services are also entirely your choice and cost. A landlord cannot require you to pay for cable or any entertainment service.
How to read your lease for utility responsibility
Look for a section titled "Utilities," "Tenant Responsibilities," or "Rent and Charges." It should list each utility and state whether you or the landlord pays. If it says "Tenant pays all utilities except heat and hot water," you know exactly where you stand. If it says "Utilities included in rent," the landlord covers them all.
If your lease is vague — for example, it says "utilities as per local law" — you need to know your state's default rule. Contact your state attorney general's office, your city or county housing authority, or a local legal aid organization. They can tell you in writing what your state requires. Keep that written answer with your lease.
If you move into an apartment and the landlord later tells you that you owe for a utility your lease does not mention, ask for the change in writing. Do not pay based on a verbal conversation. If the landlord insists, contact legal aid or your housing authority before paying.
What happens if your landlord does not provide a required utility
If your state requires heat, hot water, or water and your landlord does not provide it, you have options. Document the problem with photos and dates. Send your landlord a written request to fix it. If they do not respond within the timeframe your state allows — usually 14 to 30 days — you can contact your local housing authority or health department to file a complaint.
In some states, you can withhold rent, pay for the utility yourself and deduct it from rent, or break your lease without penalty. These remedies vary by state and have strict requirements. Do not attempt them without first checking your state's tenant law or speaking with legal aid, because doing it wrong can give your landlord grounds to evict you.
Flat fees versus actual usage
When a landlord covers a utility, they may charge you a flat monthly fee instead of billing you for actual usage. For example, if the building has one water meter, the landlord might charge all tenants $40 per month for water instead of reading individual meters. This is legal in most places, though some states require the fee to be reasonable and based on average usage.
If you think a flat fee is too high, you can ask the landlord for documentation of how they calculated it. Some states allow you to request an individual meter if one can be installed. If the landlord refuses and the fee seems unreasonable, contact your local housing authority or legal aid for guidance specific to your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord charge me for utilities that are not listed in my lease?
No. If your lease does not mention a utility, your landlord cannot suddenly start charging you for it unless they provide written notice and you agree in writing. If they try, contact your local housing authority or legal aid. Some states require the landlord to give you 30 to 60 days' notice before adding a new charge.
What if my lease says I pay for heat but my state requires landlords to provide it?
State law overrides your lease. If your state requires heat, your landlord must provide it at no cost, regardless of what you signed. Contact your state attorney general's office or legal aid to confirm your state's rule, then notify your landlord in writing that you will not pay for heat.
Does my landlord have to provide air conditioning?
Most states do not require air conditioning, so it is usually your responsibility if you want it. Check your lease and your state's tenant law. A few states or cities require it in certain climates or require landlords to maintain a maximum indoor temperature in summer, which effectively means providing cooling.
Who pays if the water heater breaks?
Your landlord pays to repair or replace the water heater itself — that is a building system. You pay for the hot water service only if your lease says you do. If your landlord is responsible for hot water and the heater breaks, they must fix it within the timeframe your state allows, usually 24 to 72 hours.
Can I negotiate which utilities I pay for before signing a lease?
Yes. Before you sign, you can ask the landlord to modify the utilities section. For example, you might ask them to cover water because the building has one meter, or to cover heat if your state requires it. Get any change in writing and signed by both of you before you move in.