common areas and landlord responsibility

[Meg K.]

Hello,

It's been a while since i've participated here...anyway, I am now a landlord AND a tenant!!!  I had to move for a better paying job and I am currently renting a house that the landlord divided into 2  units.  This is in the area of Utica, NY.  My  unit has 3 small bedrooms and the other unit is a 1 bedroom.  I am renting out my former place (1st floor) of a Duplex in a different city.  I am aware that I have to pay for the electricity in the common areas (back hallways, basement hallway and porch and back security lights) since they are connected to the unit i was living in.  An electrician told me that it was not worth it to set up a separate meter (cost would be upwards of $3,000) for electric use that would amount to less than $15/mo.  I don't have a problem reimbursing the tenants for this and plan to add it to the lease.

My issue is that in my new place, i noticed that my porch light and the driveway lights (2 post lights) are connected to my apartment.  Which means I am paying for this...shouldn't the landlord pay for it? I just moved here 3 weeks ago and don't want to cause problems with the landlord.  I love the place and was glad that he allowed me to have a cat :)  Your thoughts?

Thanks, Meg