I'm fairly sure that my apartment is not RS. I can't say for sure, but have included a picture: [link removed] It is in east Williamsburg.
I would like to assume it is not RS to address my query, for simplicities sake.
The problem is that I get billed $50 each month for water costs, even though the managing agency only gets the water bill every three months.
They then credit or charge me any difference after getting the bill.
However, the problem is that it is one water bill for all apartments.
I was away for almost a month, and have only been living there for 2 months, so expected a decrease, but instead got a slight increase!
That's when I found out they just divide water usage by the number of apartments. Is this legal?
According to this site:http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/question-what-if-our-landlord-tricked-28042.html:
In New York, shared meters -- in which a gas, electric, or steam meter services the tenant's rental unit as well as other areas outside the tenant's unit -- are unlawful. This according to the chapter and verse of the law in the Large Apple: Public Service Law § 52(2)(a).
My lease says that I have to pay for water costs, which I am happy to do so and was assuming actual water costs.
It says nothing about paying an estimate for water costs based on sharing with 7 other apartments.
Basically, everyone else is benefiting from me being gone and I'm losing out.
Options?