Rent includes heat, electric and hot water

[bookatz2]

I live in upstate NY outside of Albany. When I moved in to my new apt I was told the rent would include the electric, heat and hot water. I do not have a thermostat in the apt, it is controlled by the landlord and the electric bill is also included in my rent. He has recently told me that my electric is too high and I need to pay the difference from what he considers the bill should be per month ($75) Can he do this?

[TenantNet]

What does your lease say about it?

[bookatz2]

The lease says that the rent includes heat, hot water and electric - it doesnt say anything about if the utilities go over a certain amount.

[TenantNet]

Then I would ignore the LL - or tell him where he can shove it. As you said the LL controls the thermostat. Assuming you don't have 30 people taking hot showers every day, then he has no cause for complaint. He should have known to set the rent to cover the costs for hot water for an average size family that would fit in the apartment being rented. If you have a few kids, or a roommate, that doesn't matter.

As for electric, as long as you're using a reasonable amount, he has no cause for complaint.