I recently learned on this forum that the apartment leaseholder cannot charge roommates more than a pro-rated portion of the total rent, in most situations. That is, since I live with one roommate who is the leaseholder, she cannot charge me more than half of her rent, if I understand this correctly.
Assuming this is true, and since I have only recently learned of this, what can I do if I find that my roommate has, in fact, charged me more than the allowable amount while I have been here? Does it matter that I agreed to pay a certain amount, and in fact did pay it, without knowing that it is not allowed?
If I find, for example, that she has charged me as little as $25 per month more than is allowed for three years, am I due a refund of $25 per month, times 36 months (or $900.00)?
(I would assume, of course, that if she chose to charge me less than half of her rent, and I agreed, then that would be her choice, and I would not owe back rent if it was found I had been paying less than half.)
Any advice or further information about this rule or law would be appreciated.
Regards,
CW