Hello!
I am seeking clarification on the subject, so I can fight for my rights with some knowledge. I will try to make this short, but first, here is some context:
I rented a room in a 2-bedroom apartment (or trilocale, as Italians call it) in Lingotto, Torino. The landlord, a Cuban immigrant that has been in Italy for many years, married to his Italian wife and have a kid, explained that he would make a long-term contract (I think it was 3 years?), but that I could stay for less time. I told him that I was aiming for 3 months or more *IF* I found a job, but a minimum of 2 months. He assured me that was not a problem, as long as I would stay at least 2 months and gave him notice of moving out as soon as possible.
I stayed there from May 1 until June 26, 2023.
Rent was 700€ a month + gas + electricity + internet.
I gave 2 months deposit, totaling 1400€, which was going to be used to deduct my gas and electricity usage, internet, and any damages (there were no damages).
The last day, before I moved out, we went all over the apartment and everything was in order. No complaints or remarks.
On June 19th, he sent me the Enel bills:
Gas: total of around 70€. Bill says it's from February through end of May.
Electricity: total of around 120€. Bill says it's from April through end of May.
He has yet to send me the other bills that have my June usage (which is strange to me, since I believe it's already been issued).
Here is my problem: The landlord says that I MUST pay the ENTIRE gas bill amount of 70€ and the ENTIRE electricity bills which are 120€ + 220€.
My question is: This cannot be correct, right? He says that there is NO WAY to determine my exact usage, even though on the Enel bill shows "rilevata" and "reale", showing the exact consumption -- not the assumed consumption. He even called me from an Enel branch and made the employee talk to me. I asked her if the reading are the real consumption, and she said yes. Then I told her I was there on May and June, but the landlord wanted to charge me the entire 70€ bill. She got quiet and told me that I have to address that with the landlord, of course...
For the gas bill, of 70€, the total consumption was 70 smc. I told him that it's only fair to calculate each month's consumption and I pay for only my consumption. He denied that. I explained to him that if a family of 5 were there from February until the end of April, using insane amounts of gas, and I moved in in May, why would I have to pay for their consumption as well as mine?
It doesn't make sense to me. He blames that it's how it's done in Italy. What do you guys think? Have any of you been through this? Any tips, I mean...he's still got my security deposit till this day.
Thank you for reading!
