In apartments where units are not submetered, landlords often require tenants to pay them each billing cycle for utility services. Tenants pay the landlord for their portion of the bill, and the landlord pays the utility provider. However, residents in my district have informed me that some landlords refuse to show them the utility bill, so they are unable to ensure that they are charged fairly. Further, because the account is in the landlord’s name, tenants who suspect they are being overcharged cannot confirm the bill with the utility provider, leaving them forced to pay the charge or potentially face eviction.
 
To address this issue, I will be introducing legislation to clarify that a landlord must provide their tenant, upon request, a copy of their water, sewer, gas, or electric utility bill. This requirement will only apply in leases where a tenant pays a landlord directly for utilities. By doing so, tenants will have the ability to verify the payments requested by their landlord.
  
Our neighbors in Maryland already require this, and I ask that you co-sponsor this commonsense legislation to provide additional transparency in utility charges for renters in Pennsylvania. Your consideration is greatly appreciated. 
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1118: P.L.69, No.20