I hope someone can help. My year-long lease (which has 9 months left) states that the LANDLORD is resposible for paying gas, heat, hot and cold water. Today we received a notice explaining that he would be installing units and meters in each apartment and that we, the tenants, would now be responsible for paying these utilities. Is my landlord in breach of the lease? I have been looking for a way to break this lease - could this be my ticket out of this dangerous, noisy and poorly maintained building?

Also, I signed a renewal notice this year, but never signed an actual new lease. I am assuming that the renewal (which only noted the change in rent and nothing else) automatically carries over all of the terms and conditions of my original lease. Correct? I am looking at last year's T's and C's when I read that the landlord is responsible for those utilities.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!