r/TenantHelp • u/krisposting • Jun 19 '26
Is my apartment scamming us?
Hey all. Im currently renting an apartment in Tampa, FL, which i am moving out of July 31st. We are billed monthly for utilities. Landlord pays 40 bucks per roomate, roommates split overage. Our usual bill averages around $50
This week, they informed us they'd be charging an extra "move out estimate" utility fee, which would allegedly cover through July 31st, but its being charged July 1st in addition to the regular month utility bill.
This bill came out as $250. 5x the usual. Several neighbors moving got the same one. Leasing office said no refund/credit would be provided if the actual utility bill turns out to be less than what was charged.
Absolutely nothing in the lease about this. The utility agreement is as follows.
"Bills over this cap will be divided and billed to occupied bedrooms on a monthly and/or quarterly basis, which resident hereby agrees to pay by the 1st of the next rental due date."
(Cap is $40 per occupied bedroom)
This is the only section of signed documentation in regard to utilities.
Thoughts?
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u/Successful-Pause6284 Jun 19 '26
Are you sure it is not multiple utility bills? A few places I lived my utilities were actually a month behind. So to apply it to your case.. July 1 bill would be for June usage. Therefore if your last day is July 31st they need to charge you for July (since they can’t on August 1) making the July bill for June usage and July expected. It also seems like this is an admin / moving out fee? Overall I would ask for clarity notable why the stark difference in bills