Do I Have To Pay The Solar Bill If My Landlord Has It On His House?

The tenant-landlord relationship has many working parts. That also means in many cases, issues of clarity, responsibility, and terms are involved. One of those areas of concern becoming more prevalent today is the issue of power, namely electric versus solar power. For homes and landlords who use solar energy, that inevitably results in billing questions. One of the most common questions is does a tenant have to pay the solar bill if the home uses solar panels?

The simple answer is yes, generally tenants have to pay the solar bill. The landlord, however, is required to provide the tenant with a breakdown of the usage and other pertinent billing information. That includes billing frequency, payment terms, or any pricing changes. Additionally, the landlord should cite these obligations and arrangement details within the lease agreement.

Solar energy is a concept that has existed for many years. Various sources cite its beginnings as early as the 1800s. The concept of Solar energy as we know it today was viewed by most as a novelty or fad in its earliest stages. Now, solar energy is not only a proven source of power, but it is also a clean and cost-effective means of power.

That is the good news. The area that demands our attention is the governance of Solar Power. This arena is also where tenants need to be aware of what it is they are getting and how much they are paying for it.

The great benefit of solar power is that it is free. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that tenants aren’t still required to pay their solar energy bills. Before getting in an uproar, it is important to remember that the property owner also pays thousands of dollars for these solar panels. So, it is fair that tenants share the cost of this free energy source.

The real question is, what do tenants need to know about renting a property that uses solar power? In particular, that question is about how tenants get charged for solar energy. Here are some points that tenants should be aware of when renting a property that uses solar power for their homes.

Every home that uses solar energy will also require a connection to an electric power grid. As good as solar energy is and has become, it still can’t produce enough energy to power a home. Overcast and cloudy days and homes that use large amounts of power are a few examples where electricity is still required.

That also equates to tenants having two bills for their home’s power. Like any service, the customer (in this case, the tenant), can’t be expected to pay for services that have no breakdown or itemization of services. That is true of solar energy as well.

While the landlord has certain responsibilities such as providing a detailed invoice and defining tenant expectations in the rental contract, the tenant also has some important obligations. In addition to paying the solar bills, tenants should also clearly understand the invoice and billing process.

Although no law requires tenants to read the rental contract, it is always a good idea. To begin with, arguing ignorance is no defense. Secondly, many tenants who don’t read the rental agreement wind up being dismayed and caught off-guard. The golden rule when renting a property with solar panels is tenant due diligence. That means asking questions, understanding the billing and invoices process, and thoroughly reading the contract.