Can a business lease include a charge for electricity if there is no meter?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Can a business lease include a charge for electricity if there is no meter?

My office lease includes a $37 charge for electricity, tho the office in only 300 sq. ft. and has no major appliances. Is this legal?

Asked on January 12, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Massachusetts

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

If the written commercial lease that you signed with your landlord has a $37.00 per month charge even though there is no designated meter for your square footage, the charge of the $37.00 is allowable.

Many times landlords in commercial leases where there is one meter will simply set a flat fee for utility usage for the tenant. Since you signed a written lease setting forth this specific charge, there is nothing illegal with respect to this flat fee.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption